INDIANAPOLIS – Rockhurst University senior forward Taylor Skala and University of Wisconsin-Parkside sophomore defender Niekie Pellens have been named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week in women’s soccer, it was announced by the league office Monday.
 
Pellens was part of a defensive unit that posted a pair of shutouts last week, helping the sixth-ranked Rangers nab at least a share of the GLVC regular-season title. Against Indianapolis on Friday, Pellens and the defense allowed just two shots on goal in the 3-0 shutout. The Netherlands native additionally tallied an assist in the 74th minute on the team’s third score of the day.  Two days later against Saint Joseph’s, Pellens and the Rangers allowed just four total shots and none on goal in the 2-0 win. Pellens was again active on the offensive end, earning an assist on a corner kick goal in the 33rd minute.  For the week, the sophomore finished with two assists while anchoring a line that allowed just two shots on goal and only 11 total shots between the two games. Pellens currently leads the GLVC in assists with 11 helpers in 2014.  This is the second weekly honor for Pellens as she was honored two weeks ago on Oct. 13.  It is also the third straight GLVC Defensive Player of the Week award and the fifth all year for Parkside. Karley Mecko was honored on Sept. 8, while teammate Emily Konior was recognized with the same honor on Sept. 22 and Oct. 20.