Grand Rapids, Mich. — For a third week in a row, the Aquinas women's soccer team has picked up WHAC Player of the Week honors. The Saints collected both awards this time around with senior forward
Sydney Shenk being named the WHAC Offensive Player of the Week for a second consecutive week and
Kayla Shuk tabbed as the WHAC Defensive Player of the Week.
The duo helped lead Aquinas to a conference-opening 8-0 victory over Concordia on Saturday afternoon (Sept. 23) at the AQ Athletic Field. The No. 7-ranked Saints remain unbeaten at 6-0-1 overall (1-0 WHAC) this season, outscoring their opponents 25-2.
Shenk did most of her damage in the second half against Concordia with goals coming in the 48th, 53rd and 73rd minutes. It was the first collegiate hat trick for the senior striker out of Seattle, Wash. She had seven two-goal games before getting that elusive hat trick performance. Shenk also added an assist in the first half to finish with seven points in the contest.
Shenk has now scored in four straight games and has accumulated 41 career goals at Aquinas — tied for second-most in program history with Amy Panse (1999-00).
This is Shenk's fifth time being named a WHAC Offensive Player of the Week. She won the award once as a sophomore, twice as a junior and now two more times as a senior.
Between the goalposts, Shuk had a relatively easy Saturday as Aquinas outshot Concordia 37-1 (17-0 shots on target). Meaning, for a second straight game, she picked up a shutout without having to make a single save. AQ's stout defense locked everything down before the Cardinals could even reach Shuk. That's not to say Shuk wasn't involved, as she picked up a rare goalie assist on AQ's fifth goal scored by Shenk. Her second assist in two seasons at Aquinas.
As a result of earning her 18th career clean sheet, the sophomore from Farmington Hills, Mich., broke the all-time school record for goalkeeper shutouts. She was previously tied with three former AQ goalies stuck on 17 shutouts: Braeleigh McCoy (2018-21), Kylie Robb (2016-18) and Kristina Gladstone (2005-07).
This is Shuk's second time being named a WHAC Defensive Player of the Week. She also won the award last season as a freshman on Sept. 19, 2022.
Aquinas continues conference play on Wednesday (Sept. 27) against UM-Dearborn at home. Kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. from the AQ Athletic Field.
