BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Carly Thatcher has been named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week, the league office announced Monday.
Thatcher becomes the third Auburn player to be recognized by the conference this season. She joins Anna Haddock and Alyssa Malonson, who were named the SEC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, following opening weekend.
"Carly has continued to get better every game and had her breakout game on Thursday, not only scoring her first college goal, but getting a hat trick," head coach Karen Hoppa said. "She then played the most minutes she has played against Florida State, creating a couple of really dangerous goal-scoring opportunities."
After battling an injury and playing sparingly in the first five games of the season, Thatcher made her season-high 27 minutes against Alabama A&M count as she turned in the 14th hat trick in program history, including the second by an Auburn freshman in a span of seven contests. Her hat trick was the first by a freshman in the SEC and, at the time, the third by a freshman nationally this season.
A native of Greer, S.C., Thatcher put all three of her shots against the Bulldogs into the back of the net. Her first two career goals spanned 30 seconds apart and marked the fastest two goals scored by an Auburn player since Tammy Waine scored a pair of goals 15 seconds apart in the season opener in 2000.
Thatcher's first goal in an Auburn uniform came in the 33rd minute, when she fired with the right foot and snuck it inside the far post. Thirty seconds later, she hit a one-timer with the left foot and beat the Alabama A&M keeper. Finally, Thatcher put the finishing touches on her hat trick and the 5-0 win with a left-footed rebound in the 64th minute.
Less than 72 hours later, Thatcher logged a new season high with 34 minutes against the No. 1 team in the country in Florida State.
Thatcher and the Tigers (6-1-0) kick off SEC play against Georgia (7-1-0) Friday at 6:30 p.m. CT at the Auburn Soccer Complex.