Hope College’s Rachael Braginton and Megan Bigelow have been chosen the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Women’s Soccer Players of the Week for games October 30-November 4.
The two helped the Flying Dutch win three matches, including two in the MIAA Tournament
to secure the league’s automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Championship.
Braginton is the MIAA Offensive Player of the Week. The junior from Grandville, Michigan
(Grandville HS) scored the game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory against Olivet College
on Saturday in the MIAA Tournament championship match.
Braginton recorded six shots on goal during the week that included a 2-0 semifinal
win against Calvin College and a 1-0 regular-season finale win against Trine.
This is Braginton’s second MIAA weekly award. She also earned during her freshman
season in 2015.
Bigelow is the MIAA Defensive Player of the Week. The sophomore midfielder from Flushing,
Michigan (Flushing HS) scored Hope’s first goal in the MIAA Tournament final, then
added an assist on Braginton’s game-winner.
Bigelow also helped hold Olivet and Calvin to just two shots on goal during the MIAA
Tournament and Trine to just one.
This is Bigelow’s first MIAA weekly award.