FREELAND, Mich. - Saint Mary's senior midfielder Maya Cole was named as the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) women's soccer defensive player of the week for games played prior to September 6.

 

A native of Ada, Michigan, she was instrumental to the Belles posting a 2-0 record to open the 2021 campaign. In a 3-0 home victory over Concordia Chicago, she helped Saint Mary's control the midfield while playing a big role in limiting the Cougars to just one shot on goal in the game. The senior co-captain then scored her first goal of the season and garnered an assist on a set-piece goal by the Belles as Saint Mary's prevailed at Lake Forest in a 3-2 overtime victory. Defensively, Cole again helped the side limit the opposition's chances as the Foresters posted just three shots on goal.

 

"Maya's tireless workrate and dominance in the midfield this week was top class," said head coach Jesse Urquhart. "This season, Maya's already playing at a different level than we've seen and it's exciting for us. She certainly has the ability to contribute on both sides of the ball, but we count Maya for her defensive abilities. To add a match tying goal and assist just shows how impactful Maya is in our team, and I'm proud of her performance in our opening week of matches."

 

It is the first MIAA Player of the Week honor of her career.