UC Irvine sophomore Kelly Little had the game-winning assist and turned in a solid defensive performance to help the Anteaters to a 2-0 upset of No. 25 Long Beach State.
UC Irvine sophomore Kelly Little (Long Beach, CA/Wilson HS) played a key defensive role and provided a game-winning assist as the Anteaters posted their first four points in Big West play with a tie and a win over the league's top two teams. Little's play led her to Big West Player of the Week accolades.
Little anchored a stingy Anteater defense in a 1-1 tie with league-leading UC Riverside, as the Highlanders scored with just 2:11 remaining in regulation. Little came up huge though by thwarting numerous scoring chances, clearing ball after ball out of the box.
The defender found the offensive column in UCI's 2-0 upset win over No. 25 Long Beach State on Sunday. She recorded the game-winning assist when she passed ahead to Britney Webster, who scored in the 23rd minute for a 1-0 lead. As she did against the Highlanders, Little cleared away several scoring threats as Long Beach State pressed the issue in an attempt to catch up.
UCI is one of only four schools to post a shutout over LBSU this season. It was Little's first career Player of the Week honor.