University of Georgia Athletics
Betos Named SEC Defensive Player Of The Week
October 20, 2008 | Soccer
ATHENS, Ga. --- Junior goalkeeper Michelle Betos was honored as the SEC Defensive Player of the Week Monday by the conference’s office.
It is the first honor for Betos in her career and it is the second consecutive week a Georgia player has won the defensive player award. Last week, Megan Tomlinson took home defensive player honors and it is the first time any SEC school was won back-to-back weekly distinctions in either the offensive or defensive categories this season.
“I feel truly honored to receive this award, especially in such a competitive conference,” she said. “However, the most special thing about it is that it reflects how well our defense is playing. With four straight wins and three shutouts, along with Megan receiving this award last week, I think that our backline is finally getting some of the rewards and attention it deserves. Our team as a whole is defending better than ever.”
Betos was brilliant all weekend in net for the Bulldogs as she posted two, 1-0 shutouts in Georgia’s two games. On Friday against Mississippi State, the Bulldog defense limited MSU to just three shots, and while Betos didn’t need to make any saves, her aggressiveness off her goal line made MSU attackers struggle to get any shots on net.
On Sunday against Ole Miss, however, Betos made several spectacular plays during regulation that kept Georgia in the game. Betos saved five Rebel shots, several of which were in dramatic fashion, as the Bulldogs would end up winning in double overtime 1-0.
With two shutouts during the weekend, Betos has earned three shutouts in Georgia’s last four games. With Sunday’s 1-0 win, Betos moved up to tie for second in program history with 15 career shutouts.
So far in 2008, Betos has played in every minute of every game for the Bulldogs, recording 83 saves and a 1.50 goals against average. During the conference season, however, Betos has recorded a 0.82 goals against average, giving up just seven goals in 770 minutes of play.
“This is a tremendous honor for Michelle Betos and our program as a whole,” head coach Patrick Baker said. “We have taken pride in our defending and Michelle proved Sunday her outstanding abilities as a goalkeeper. Our young ladies posted back-to-back shutouts on the road in conference play and that is no easy accomplishment. She made three tremendous saves that prevented Ole Miss from scoring and gave us a chance to be successful in overtime. Michelle is very deserving of this recognition.”
Betos and the Bulldogs look to continue their four-game winning streak Thursday when they host Auburn at 8 p.m. at the UGA Soccer Stadium. The game will be televised by Fox Soccer Channel, which is channel 619 on DirecTV.
It is the first honor for Betos in her career and it is the second consecutive week a Georgia player has won the defensive player award. Last week, Megan Tomlinson took home defensive player honors and it is the first time any SEC school was won back-to-back weekly distinctions in either the offensive or defensive categories this season.
“I feel truly honored to receive this award, especially in such a competitive conference,” she said. “However, the most special thing about it is that it reflects how well our defense is playing. With four straight wins and three shutouts, along with Megan receiving this award last week, I think that our backline is finally getting some of the rewards and attention it deserves. Our team as a whole is defending better than ever.”
Betos was brilliant all weekend in net for the Bulldogs as she posted two, 1-0 shutouts in Georgia’s two games. On Friday against Mississippi State, the Bulldog defense limited MSU to just three shots, and while Betos didn’t need to make any saves, her aggressiveness off her goal line made MSU attackers struggle to get any shots on net.
On Sunday against Ole Miss, however, Betos made several spectacular plays during regulation that kept Georgia in the game. Betos saved five Rebel shots, several of which were in dramatic fashion, as the Bulldogs would end up winning in double overtime 1-0.
With two shutouts during the weekend, Betos has earned three shutouts in Georgia’s last four games. With Sunday’s 1-0 win, Betos moved up to tie for second in program history with 15 career shutouts.
So far in 2008, Betos has played in every minute of every game for the Bulldogs, recording 83 saves and a 1.50 goals against average. During the conference season, however, Betos has recorded a 0.82 goals against average, giving up just seven goals in 770 minutes of play.
“This is a tremendous honor for Michelle Betos and our program as a whole,” head coach Patrick Baker said. “We have taken pride in our defending and Michelle proved Sunday her outstanding abilities as a goalkeeper. Our young ladies posted back-to-back shutouts on the road in conference play and that is no easy accomplishment. She made three tremendous saves that prevented Ole Miss from scoring and gave us a chance to be successful in overtime. Michelle is very deserving of this recognition.”
Betos and the Bulldogs look to continue their four-game winning streak Thursday when they host Auburn at 8 p.m. at the UGA Soccer Stadium. The game will be televised by Fox Soccer Channel, which is channel 619 on DirecTV.
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