Marlborough Claims Conference, National Honors

Forward Morgan Marlborough continues to garner national recognition through a spectacular freshman season as she has been named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week and one of College Soccer 360's "Primetime Performers of the Week" following her clutch play in Nebraska's 2-1 upset over No. 14 Texas A&M on Sunday.

The Big 12 award is the third of the season for Marlborough, as she was also won offensive and newcomer honors on Sept. 15. Marlborough is just the third freshman in Big 12 history to win three awards in a season, joining Texas A&M's Ashlee Pistorius (three in 2004) and Colorado's  Nikki Marshall (four in 2006). Her three awards in 2009 lead the conference.

Marlborough has a nation-leading 21 goals this season and her two-goal performance against Texas A&M was her seventh multiple-goal game this year. She ranks in a tie for fourth all-time among single-season goal leaders in school history, trailing only Kim Essenger (27, 1998; 26, 1997) and Christine Latham (23, 2000).

Marlborough scored the game-winning goal against the 14th-ranked Aggies in the 82nd minute after she took a pass from senior Julie Berkshire 30 yards away from the net. The freshman then split the Texas A&M defense right-to-left and fired the 15-yard game-winner just inside the penalty box with her left foot.

The Lee's Summit, Mo., native also scored in the 19th minute to give Nebraska an early 1-0 lead. Senior Anna Caniglia took a free kick from 30 yards away near the right sideline, which was headed by freshman Jordan Jackson before Marlborough swept up the pass near the post and scored off the crossbar.

College Soccer 360's "Primetime Performers of the Week" are based on criteria that includes playing against top-25 teams or top-level opponents and players who are involved in clutch performances such as game-winning goals or late scores. Marlborough is the second Husker to be named one of College Soccer 360's "Primetime Performers of the Week" this season after senior defender Carly Peetz earned the honor on Oct. 6.

Marlborough is already one of seven players in school history to produce multiple hat tricks in a career, as she tied the single-game school record with four goals against Akron (Sept. 13) and scored three times versus Oklahoma (Oct. 11).

Nebraska is 9-3-4 (3-2-2 Big 12) and travels to Kansas and No. 23 Missouri this weekend. The Huskers have one home game left on the 2009 schedule, as they host Iowa State on Fri., Oct. 30 at 4 p.m.

2009 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week
Aug. 25-Hanna Gilmore, Baylor, Fr.
Sept. 1-Whitney Palmer, Oklahoma, Jr.
Sept. 8-Monica Dolinsky, Kansas, Sr.
Sept. 15-Morgan Marlborough, Nebraska, Fr.
Sept. 22-Whitney Hooper, Texas A&M, Jr.
Sept. 29-Bree Thornton, Missouri, Sr.
                Whitney Palmer, Oklahoma, Jr.
Oct. 6-Rachel Shipley, Texas A&M, Jr.
Oct. 13-Lotto Smith, Baylor, Jr.
Oct. 20-Morgan Marlborough, Nebraska, Fr.

2009 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week
Aug. 25-Kara Linder, Colorado, Sr.
Sept. 1-Lauren Jackson, Kansas, Jr.
Sept. 8-Bri Young, Texas A&M, So.
Sept. 15-Tasha Dittamore, Missouri. Sr.
Sept. 22-Kelsey Devonshire, Oklahoma, Fr.
Sept. 29-Kara Linder, Colorado, Sr.
Oct. 6-Alexa Gaul, Texas, Fr.
Oct. 13-Tasha Dittamore, Missouri, Sr.
Oct. 20-Crystal Wagner, Missouri, Sr.
 
2009 Big 12 Newcomer of the Week
Aug. 25-Mary Grace Schmidt, Texas A&M, Fr.
Sept. 1-Kat Liebetrau, Kansas, Fr.
Sept. 8-Amanda Woelfel, Iowa State, Fr.
Sept. 15-Morgan Marlborough, Nebraska, Fr.
Sept. 22-Dawn Ward, Texas Tech, Fr.
Sept. 29-Quinn Krier, Colorado, Fr.
Oct. 6-Amanda Woelfel, Iowa State, Fr.
Oct. 13-Nora Skelton, Texas A&M, Fr.
Oct. 20-Hannah Higgins, Texas, Fr.