Rose Earns Sun Belt Player of the Week

MIAMI - Sophomore defender Katrina Rose was named the Sun Belt Women's Soccer Player of the Week on Tuesday afternoon. The nod is Rose's first in her a career and the first for FIU this season.

Rose played an integral part FIU's 1-0 win over Denver and double-overtime 2-2  tie to North Texas this past weekend.

"We came into conference playing really hard and we challenged a lot of good teams so to get it now after we've been playing so well is really special," Rose said. "It's exciting."

On Friday, she played 89 minutes as centerback of a defense that shut out its second straight conference opponent. FIU held the Pioneers under their 2.18 goals per game average, which placed among the top 50 in the country. The win was FIU's first victory in the series since Sept. 29, 2000.

Rose, a 2008 All-Sun Belt Second Team selection, followed up that performance by scoring her third goal of the year and dished her first career assist to help FIU end an eight-game losing streak to North Texas dating back to 2001. She drilled in a header from a corner kick and then assisted a goal with roughly 16 minutes remaining in the game.

FIU is the only team in the Sun Belt to score against North Texas so far this season. The Golden Panthers are also the only team besides then-No. 25 Ohio State to score more than one goal on the Mean Green this year.

Rose's three goals this season tie her output in 2008. The Golden Panthers' 2-1-1 conference record is the program's best start to the season since 2004.

"The team played the No. 1 and No. 2 teams from last year this weekend, and for 90 minutes we kept a clean sheet and for another 80 minutes we kept a clean sheet and played some good soccer as well," coach Thomas Chestnutt said. "I think the team put us in a position to have Katrina be looked at. It's great that the team got a little attention for their hardwork. We've got to keep pushing forward."

FIU returns to the field on Friday at 7 p.m. when it hosts Louisiana and closes out its homestand on Sunday at 1 p.m. against ULM. Tied for second in the conference for shutouts