Sept. 18, 2017
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Redshirt junior goalkeeper Sarah Le Beau has been tabbed the SEC Defensive Player of the Week, league officials announced Monday afternoon. The weekly recognition marks the first of the season for Auburn and the third of Le Beau's career.
"Sarah Le Beau had maybe the best game of her career and definitely one of her top performances," Auburn head coach Karen Hoppa said. "She might've only had five saves on the stat sheet, but she handled the ball way more than that. She was aggressive coming off her line both in the air and on the ground, cleaned up everything behind the defenders the couple of times they did get beat, and made some big-time reaction and rebound saves. She commanded her box the entire game."
Le Beau totaled five saves in the Tigers' SEC-opening win against No. 22 Texas A&M last Friday night. Additionally, the redshirt junior captain corralled multiple corner kicks and crosses into the box throughout the match.
Three of Le Beau's five saves came from point-blank range in the final stages of the second half as the Orange and Blue turned in its fifth shutout win to open conference play. It was Le Beau and Auburn's third shutout of the season.
Friday's match marked the third time in the last four contests Le Beau has registered five or more saves. It was also her fourth career shutout against a SEC foe, and the two-time All-SEC honoree improved to 17-6-0 in goal against conference opponents.
The Tigers continue SEC play with a trip to Knoxvillle, Tenn., to take on the Volunteers Thursday, Sept. 21 at 6 p.m. CT. They return home Sunday, Sept. 24 to host Kentucky at 2 p.m. CT.