(HCC Sports Information)

Hutchinson Community College goalkeeper Eunice Figueroa was named the Verizon Wireless/Jayhawk Conference women’s soccer Goalkeeper of the Week, the league announced on Tuesday.

The freshman from Arlington, Texas, went 2-0 last week with a pair of non-conference shutouts against Northern Oklahoma (5-0) and at Western Nebraska (9-0).

Figueroa ran her consecutive scoreless streak to 307 minutes. She made one save against Northern Oklahoma and had three saves against Western Nebraska.

Figueroa also made history for HCC women’s soccer, becoming the first Lady Dragon goalkeeper to be credited with an assist on a scoring play. Against Western Nebraska, early in the second half up 5-0, Figueroa fielded a ball and quickly punted it away. The ball took a high hop and was misplayed by a WNCC player. Sophomore Madison Joyce did the rest by dribbling in and scoring in the 61st minute.

For the season, Figueroa is 5-1 with three shutouts and a 0.47 goals-against average.

Figueroa is the third HCC player this season to earn conference player of the week honors. Three weeks ago, sophomore Pearl Slattery earned the weekly award. Last week, Melissa Hetherington earned conference and NJCAA national weekly honors.

Figueroa is now eligible for NJCAA National Player of the Week honors. That award will be announced on Wednesday.

This is the second year that Verizon Wireless is sponsoring the Jayhawk Conference Player of the Week Award.