Gudmens Named SEC Defensive Player of the Week
9/15/2008 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Sept. 15, 2008
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Alabama junior goalkeeper Kara Gudmens (Cincinnati, Ohio) was named the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week as announced by the conference office today. Gudmens garnered the accolades on the strength of two shutout victories this past weekend at the UA Soccer Complex.
"The thing that impressed me the most is how she handled coming off of last weekend because last weekend was tough on our team and goalkeepers in particular," head coach Todd Bramble said. "It's a major source of pride when you concede that many goals, so for her to show that psychological resolve and resiliency to bounce back and to be as strong as she looked this week at goal is a great sign."
The 5-9 goalkeeper continues to shine at home as she posted back-to-back shutouts to lead Alabama to a perfect 2-0 weekend. Gudmens opened the home stand with a 1-0 shutout win over 2007 NCAA tournament participant Samford on Friday. In that contest the Cincinnati, Ohio native made seven saves. Against Wright State Gudmens played 105 minutes in between the pipes and made five saves to secure the clean slate.
"It is nice to get recognized but this couldn't have happened without the play of our defense," Gudmens said. "The defense has more confidence and we are playing more relaxed which makes it easier to play. It is always great to play well in front of the home crowd."
Gudmens played every minute in goal over the weekend and has yet to allow a goal in Tuscaloosa this season. Alabama tied the modern school record for consecutive shutouts to start a season at home with three. The 5-9 keeper has not yielded a goal in 225 minutes at home. On the season Gudmens has made 35 saves and allowed six goals for a 1.04 goals against average.
Gudmens is the second Alabama player this season to earn SEC accolades. Sophomore forward Victoria Frederick was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week for her efforts in the opening weekend for the Crimson Tide. The honor for Gudmens is her first from the SEC. She was named to the Top Drawer Team of the Week in the 2006.
The Crimson Tide will return to the pitch when it hosts its only tournament of the season. Alabama will play two matches and a total of four will be played at the UA Soccer Complex next weekend. The Crimson Tide opens the weekend against UTC on Friday, Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m.
