Junior forward Nikki Thole was named the Big 12 Conference Soccer Player of the Week on Monday.Junior forward Nikki Thole was named the Big 12 Conference Soccer Player of the Week on Monday.
Soccer

Nikki Thole Named Big 12 Conference Soccer Player of the Week

Sept. 6, 1999

Columbia, Mo. - Nikki Thole of the University of Missouri has been named the Big 12 Conference Soccer Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday.

Thole, a junior forward from St. Louis, Mo., led Missouri to the title of the Ellis Copy Tiger Invitational with wins over Big Ten opponents Indiana, 2-1, and No. 14 Michigan, 4-1. Thole provided both goals for the Tigers versus Indiana. Against Michigan, she countered a Wolverine goal by scoring 16 seconds later giving MU a 3-1 lead. She also added two assists in the victory over Michigan.

Thole set a new Missouri school record by scoring in her fourth consecutive match versus the Wolverines. Currently she leads Missouri with five goals and 13 points, and is tied for the team lead with Erin Grimsley with three assists.

The Missouri team also received national recognition Monday, when the team found itself ranked No. 20 in this week's Soccer America top-20 poll, it is Missouri's first appearance in any national poll. MU was also among those receiving votes in the National Socccer Coaches Association of America top-25 poll. MU earned its spot with wins over Indiana and No. 14 Michigan over the weekend.