Aug. 29, 2006

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Missouri sophomore forward Ashley Hamblin was named the Big 12 Conference Offensive Player of the Week, as announced by the league office on Tuesday. Hamblin earned the award, the first of her career, after an eight-point offensive output against Iowa and No. 13 Illinois in the opening weekend.

The sophomore had her hand in both of Mizzou's goals in a 2-0 over Iowa on Friday, Aug. 25. Hamblin converted a penalty kick in the 11th minute after she was brought down in the box to record the game-winner and assisted on freshman Kristin Andrighetto's goal in the 58th minute.

She followed up her three-point output against Iowa with two goals and an assist in a 5-0 victory over No. 13 Illinois on Sunday, Aug. 27. Hamblin scored the Tigers' second and third goals in the 11th and 13th minutes and earned her second assist of the season in the 77th minute on a Bree Thornton goal.

After the opening weekend, Hamblin ranks first in the Big 12 in points (eight) and points per game (4.0), is tied for second in goals (three), goals per game (1.5) and tied for third in assists (two) and assists per game (1.0)

Hamblin played in all 20 of Missouri's games as a freshman with 15 starts. She posted two goals and two assists on the year despite playing most of the season as a defender.

Missouri continues 2006 action with the Big 12/Big Ten Challenge this weekend. The Tigers will travel to Evanston, Ill., to face Northwestern on Friday, Sept. 1 for a 3 p.m. contest before a game against Minnesota on Sunday, Sept. 3 at 1 p.m. in Minneapolis, Minn.