Williams Snags Big 12 Newcomer of the Week Honors

Aug. 21, 2012

WilliamsIrving, Texas – Following an impressive showing during the opening weekend, Kansas soccer freshman Ashley Williams has been named the Big 12 Soccer Newcomer of the Week for games played Aug. 17-19, it was announced by the league office Tuesday.

The KU forward had a great start to her collegiate career, collecting two goals in two starts to kick off the 2012 campaign for the Jayhawks. For the weekend, she tallied four shots and is tied for the league lead with two goals. The announcement marks the sixth time since 2009 a Jayhawk has been named the Big 12’s Newcomer of the week.

Williams began the year in style, scoring her first career goal in with the Jayhawks’ overtime victory over UC Santa Barbara, where she buried a left-footed shot from five yards out in the 97th minute. The freshman forward took three shots in the game, two of which were on frame.

The Albuquerque, N.M., scored the Jayhawks’ lone goal in their second match of the weekend. Trailing 1-0 after the second half, Williams evened the scoreboard four minutes into the second half off a strike from a cross. Her second goal of the weekend would not be enough however as the Jayhawks dropped the game in overtime, 2-1.

Williams is the first Jayhawk to earn conference newcomer of the week accolades since Ingrid Vidal claimed the honor last season on Sept. 6, 2011.

Kansas soccer is back in action this weekend, Aug. 24-26, when is hosts the Kansas Invitational at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex. KU will face Georgia Friday night at 5 p.m., before taking on UNLV Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.