McCOY AND TAYLOR EARN BIG SKY PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS

10/29/2007

OGDEN, Utah - Hornet senior Katie McCoy was named Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Week for the second straight week, while junior Kara Taylor earned conference co-Defensive Player of the Week honors, as announced today by the conference.

A native of La Mesa, Calif., McCoy collected goals in each of the Hornets' games this weekend, scoring in the 43rd minute of Sacramento State's 1-1 tie against Northern Colorado, while posting the game-winner in the 10th minute of the Hornets 2-0 victory over Northern Arizona.

McCoy leads the conference in goals (11), game-winning goals (4), assists (7), and points (29). Her 29 points, which ranks 24th nationally, are nearly double that of the two players tied in second place in the conference, Jana Boehler of Idaho State and fellow Hornet senior Amanda Gray, who have 15 points.

Taylor, a native of Eugene, Ore., had a strong week anchoring the Hornet defense, which allowed just a penalty kick goal for the week. She also contributed offensively, as Taylor tallied an assist on McCoy's game-winner against Northern Arizona. The assist marked the second assist in as many weeks for Taylor. The 2005 Big Sky Conference Co-Defensive MVP, Taylor started the first 54 games of her career without a point.

For McCoy, it was her second straight Offensive Player of the Week honor, and third of the season. She has now received the honor five times in her career. Taylor, a two-time all-Big Sky performer, earned her first career weekly honor from the conference.

The first place Hornets will look to lock-up the Big Sky regular season title as they host the Portland State Vikings on Friday, Nov. 2 at Hornet Soccer Field. Sacramento State controls its own destiny, as a win would ensure the school's first women's soccer conference title. The Hornets could also win the title with a tie against Portland State and a Weber State loss or tie. The Wildcats face Idaho State on Saturday, Nov. 4 in Pocatello, Idaho. The conference regular season champion hosts the Big Sky Tournament, which would be advantageous for the Hornets, who are an unbeaten 8-0-1 at home this season, and have not been defeated in Big Sky play at home since Oct. 31st, 2004.