Posted: Oct 23, 2017

Alex Lemekha & Morgan Smith Earn Weekly CCC Awards

Lemekha named Defensive Player of the Week, Smith recognized as Rookie of the Week

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (October 23, 2017) – Sophomore goalkeeper Alex Lemekha (Stamford, Conn.) and freshman forward Morgan Smith (Manchester, Conn.) of the Western New England University women's soccer team have both received weekly awards from the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC), the league office announced on Monday.

Western New England (9-6-2, 7-1 CCC) went 2-0 last week with a 2-1 win over Roger Williams on Tuesday and a 1-0 triumph at Curry on Friday night. The Golden Bears currently sit in second place in the CCC standings heading into tomorrow night's regular season finale at Gordon College.

Lemekha, who is earning CCC Defensive Player of the Week accolades for the third consecutive week, continued her strong play in Western New England's wins over the Hawks and Colonels. She made eight saves on Tuesday against Roger Williams, including three in the second half as the Golden Bears rallied for a key victory. Lemekha followed that up by making six saves on Saturday en route to her CCC-leading seventh shutout of the season.

The Stamford, Conn. native has started all 17 games for Western New England this season. She ranks second in the CCC in goals against average (0.97) and fourth in save percentage (.819).

Smith earns CCC Rookie of the Week accolades for the first time in her career after scoring the game-winning goal in the 89^th minute of Western New England's 2-1 win over Roger Williams on Tuesday. She also recorded a team-high three shots in Saturday's 1-0 victory at Curry.

Smith has appeared in all 17 games for the Golden Bears this season. She leads the team and ranks 12^th in the CCC with five goals, four of which have come in the second half, including three in the 77^th minute or later.

A 2017 graduate of Manchester High School, Smith competed in both indoor & outdoor track in addition to soccer. She was an All-Conference and All-State performer in soccer, finishing her career with 48 goals and 21 assists.