OKLAHOMA CITY -- After anchoring a back line that allowed just one goal across two victories and scoring the first two goals of her collegiate career, John Brown University junior defender Bella Mendieta was named the Sooner Athletic Defensive Player of the Week, presented by Digital Scoreboards, the league office announced Monday (Oct. 5).
Mendieta played all 180 minutes as No. 20 John Brown went 2-0 in league play, surrendering just 10 shots and four attempts on goal across the two matches. The Golden Eagles opened the week with a 5-0 clean sheet at Southwestern Christian (Okla.) on Tuesday afternoon (Sept. 29), holding the hosts to four shots overall and only one on frame.
Her impact shifted to the other end of the field Saturday afternoon (Oct. 3). Mendieta accounted for both JBU goals in a 2-1 victory over Science & Arts (Okla.), breaking a scoreless deadlock with a 54th-minute header off a corner before striking again in the 76th minute for the game-winner. The brace marked the first two goals of her collegiate career.
The honor is the first SAC weekly award of Mendieta's career and gives the Blue and Gold four women's soccer weekly honorees this season, each earned by a different player. Sophomore Andi Riley collected Offensive Player of the Week honors Aug. 31, while freshman goalkeeper Ansley Fuchs and junior midfielder Caitlin Hilson earned Defensive Player of the Week recognition Sept. 21 and Sept. 28, respectively.
John Brown hits the road Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 6), facing Central Christian (Kan.) at 3 p.m. at CCCK Soccer Field in McPherson, Kan. Live coverage of the league matchup will be available on Urban Edge Network and the SAC Sports Network.
FOLLOW THE GOLDEN EAGLES
Don't miss a minute of the latest action surrounding JBU Athletics by following the Golden Eagles on Facebook (/JBUathletics), Instagram (@JBUathletics) and X (@JBUathletics). Catch every Golden Eagle home game and select away games on the SAC Sports Network, available online or for download on your favorite streaming device.
