Gracia Announced as Conference Goalkeeper of the Week
10/29/2021 3:13:00 PM | Soccer
Two Cougars receive also weekly conference honor roll recognition
HOUSTON – Houston Soccer's Mikaela Gracia was named Goalkeeper of the Week, The American Athletic Conference announced on Friday.
The redshirt freshman keeper recorded four saves in a shutout win against Tulsa in the final regular season match. She accomplished her ninth shutout of the season and second American Goalkeeper of the Week recognition.
"We're all really excited for the season Mikaela is having. She's done an amazing job this year making very important saves to give us the opportunity we are in now," said Assistant and Goalkeeper Coach Gus Mota. "We've been impressed with her leadership and she would be the first one to tell she would not be having the season she is without her teammates."
Gracia has tied goalkeeper Cami Koski, who played for the Cougars in 2010, for the highest number of shutouts in a season. This puts her three ahead of the second highest amount of six currently held by Shelby Scott in 2008.
Gracia has totaled 1,594 total minutes in the net this season with more to come in postseason competition. She is also currently tied for No. 13 in national rankings for her nine shutouts.
In addition to Gracia's conference award, two Cougars were also acknowledged for their impressive efforts on The American Honor Roll. Redshirt senior Mia Brascia and freshman Samantha Wiehe were both named in this week's awards.
Wiehe broke the ice for Houston in the 57th minute scoring the game winner on Thursday. The freshman scored her second goal of the season which was also her second game-winning score as well.
"For a true freshman to step up and score a free kick in such a crucial situation is big time," stated Head Coach Diego Bocanegra. "She has always had the ability. It's great to see that she now has the confidence to take on that responsibility."
Brascia also scored her second goal of the season to seal the match for the Cougars on Thursday against Tulsa. She has been a force in the midfield totaling 1,355 minutes played in regular season competition this year alone.
"Mia has established herself as one of the best midfielders in the conference," expressed Bocanegra. She is very deserving to be recognized in her last regular season game."
UP NEXT
Houston will begin postseason play in Tampa on Thursday as the No. 2 seed in The American conference tournament playing the winner of UCF and Memphis.
TICKETS
Fans can purchase single-game tickets by clicking here, or by visiting the ticket office. Mobile tickets can also be purchased at game time at the ticket booth located at Schroeder Park (baseball), adjacent to the Carl Lewis International Complex. For more information on how to purchase tickets, call (713) Go-Coogs (713-462-6647).
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Soccer on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarSoccer, and "Like" UHCougarSoccer on Facebook.
JOIN THE COUGAR RESERVES
Fans can help support the Houston Soccer program by joining the Cougar Reserves. To find out more information about the Cougar Reserves Club, click here or call Cougar Pride at (713) 743-GoUH (713-742-4684).
FOLLOW THE COUGARS!
Fans can keep up with the latest in University of Houston Cougar athletics by following us on Facebook (Facebook.com/HoustonAthletics), Twitter (@UHCougars), Instagram (houstoncougars) and YouTube.com (Youtube.com/UHAthletics).
The redshirt freshman keeper recorded four saves in a shutout win against Tulsa in the final regular season match. She accomplished her ninth shutout of the season and second American Goalkeeper of the Week recognition.
"We're all really excited for the season Mikaela is having. She's done an amazing job this year making very important saves to give us the opportunity we are in now," said Assistant and Goalkeeper Coach Gus Mota. "We've been impressed with her leadership and she would be the first one to tell she would not be having the season she is without her teammates."
Gracia has tied goalkeeper Cami Koski, who played for the Cougars in 2010, for the highest number of shutouts in a season. This puts her three ahead of the second highest amount of six currently held by Shelby Scott in 2008.
Gracia has totaled 1,594 total minutes in the net this season with more to come in postseason competition. She is also currently tied for No. 13 in national rankings for her nine shutouts.
In addition to Gracia's conference award, two Cougars were also acknowledged for their impressive efforts on The American Honor Roll. Redshirt senior Mia Brascia and freshman Samantha Wiehe were both named in this week's awards.
Wiehe broke the ice for Houston in the 57th minute scoring the game winner on Thursday. The freshman scored her second goal of the season which was also her second game-winning score as well.
"For a true freshman to step up and score a free kick in such a crucial situation is big time," stated Head Coach Diego Bocanegra. "She has always had the ability. It's great to see that she now has the confidence to take on that responsibility."
Brascia also scored her second goal of the season to seal the match for the Cougars on Thursday against Tulsa. She has been a force in the midfield totaling 1,355 minutes played in regular season competition this year alone.
"Mia has established herself as one of the best midfielders in the conference," expressed Bocanegra. She is very deserving to be recognized in her last regular season game."
UP NEXT
Houston will begin postseason play in Tampa on Thursday as the No. 2 seed in The American conference tournament playing the winner of UCF and Memphis.
TICKETS
Fans can purchase single-game tickets by clicking here, or by visiting the ticket office. Mobile tickets can also be purchased at game time at the ticket booth located at Schroeder Park (baseball), adjacent to the Carl Lewis International Complex. For more information on how to purchase tickets, call (713) Go-Coogs (713-462-6647).
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Soccer on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarSoccer, and "Like" UHCougarSoccer on Facebook.
JOIN THE COUGAR RESERVES
Fans can help support the Houston Soccer program by joining the Cougar Reserves. To find out more information about the Cougar Reserves Club, click here or call Cougar Pride at (713) 743-GoUH (713-742-4684).
FOLLOW THE COUGARS!
Fans can keep up with the latest in University of Houston Cougar athletics by following us on Facebook (Facebook.com/HoustonAthletics), Twitter (@UHCougars), Instagram (houstoncougars) and YouTube.com (Youtube.com/UHAthletics).
Players Mentioned
Midfielder
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Goalkeeper
/ Soccer
Midfielder
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