BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Sophomore midfielder Anna Haddock and fifth-year defender Alyssa Malonson earned Southeastern Conference weekly honors following their performances in wins against Samford and No. 12 BYU last week.
Haddock was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week, while Malonson earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors. It's the second career SEC weekly honor for both as they were each previously named SEC Freshman of the Week.
"Both those players being credited as Offensive Player of the Week for Haddock and Defensive Player of the Week for Alyssa, we're really thrilled to see that recognition," head coach Karen Hoppa said.
Haddock accounted for three of Auburn's four goals and scored both game winners in the pair of wins last week, including the team's first win against a top-15 team since 2017.
"Haddock had three goals on the weekend, two game winners, and she has now scored more goals this season than she did all last year," Hoppa said. "We're excited because we know this is just the beginning for her."
The Bowling Green, Kentucky, native scored the game winner in the 70th minute of Auburn's come-from-behind win in the season opener at Samford, marking her first career game winner. Two days later, she netted both goals in Auburn's 2-1 win against BYU, marking her first career brace. Haddock's header in the 68th minute broke a 1-1 tie and proved to be the difference.
The sophomore standout has totaled 20 career points on five goals and 10 assists in her first 20 games in an Auburn uniform. She has scored four goals in the last four contests dating back to last spring.
Malonson got Auburn's scoring for the 2021 season started as she headed a free kick from midfield out of the air and into the back of the net, tying the season opener at Samford at 1-1. Two days later, Malonson assisted on the game winner against BYU, marking the 20th assist of her career. She beat her defender up the left flank and served a cross far post to Haddock for the finish.
"Alyssa had a goal and assist from playing left back the whole time," Hoppa said. "We moved her deeper than what she played last year, so to see her still get forward as a defender was important."
The fifth-year stalwart was on the field for 170 minutes of a possible 180 minutes in the two games that spanned two days apart. She also helped hold a BYU team that ranked third in the country in scoring last season to one goal.
Haddock, Malonson and the rest of the Tigers face a pair of road contests against in-state foes this week, starting with a match at Troy Thursday, Aug. 26 at 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
