Aug. 30, 2006

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Missouri sophomore forward Ashley Hamblin (Cedar Rapids, Iowa / Kennedy H.S.) was named the SoccerTimes.com National Player of the Week on Wednesday. The honor comes on the heels of her inclusion in the Soccer America and SoccerBuzz National teams of the week and a Big 12 Conference Offensive Player of the Week award after an eight-point weekend against Iowa and No. 13 Illinois.

Hamblin was the first Tiger to earn a national player of the week award since Lacy Moore receieved the SoccerBuzz Elite Player of the Week in 2002.

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.

Soccer America Women's Team of the Week
G: Alison Whitworth, Auburn
D: Lauren Leslie, San Diego State
D: Alivia Mazura, California
M: Paige Carmichael, Texas A&M
M: Sarah Dwyer, Penn State
M: Emily Maynard, Maryland
M: Mami Yamaguchi, Florida State
F: Kiki Bosio, Santa Clara
F: Ashley Hamblin, Missouri
F: Farrell McClernon, Boston University
F: Shoko Mikami, Memphis

SoccerBuzz Elite Team of the Week
G: Kristin Arnold, Texas A&M
M: Yael Averbuch, North Carolina
M: Paige Carmichael, Texas A&M
D: Kristen Chapman, Miami (Fla.)
M: Sarah Dwyer, Penn State
D: Katie Hall, Washington
F: Ashley Hamblin, Missouri
M: Chioma Igwe, Santa Clara
F: Allison Mallams, Marquette
D: Alivia Mazura, California
D: Natalie Messing, Long Beach State
F: Shoko Mikami, Memphis
M: Rebecca Moros, Duke
D: Kelsey Nagel, Pacific
F: Erika Sutton, San Diego State
M: Michelle Wenino, Colorado
G: Allison Whitworth, Auburn
F: Mami Yamahuchi, Florida State