BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Alabama A&M has earned a pair of Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) women's soccer weekly honors as announced by the league on Wednesday, September 22.
 
Headlining those honors were junior forward Makayla Rushing (Red Oak, Texas) as Offensive Player of the Week and junior defender Taylor Watson (Scarborough, Ontario, Canada) as Defender of the Week.
 
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK – MAKAYLA RUSHING
Rushing had a hand in the offense in both of the Bulldogs' games this past week as she finished with three goals and an assist in 130 minutes of work.
 
She opened the week against Austin Peay (9/16) as she logged 90 minutes and took two shots, accounting for all of A&M's offense.
 
Rushing finished the week against South Carolina State (9/19) as she played 40 minutes in a driving rain storm, delivering a hat trick and an assist in an 8-0 victory. All three of her goals were within the first 12 minutes of action.
 
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK – TAYLOR WATSON
Taylor was ever present over the course of two games this past week, logging 117 minutes.
 
As is the case with most defenders, they tend to be judged on what isn't there - namely goals. Watson would be a mainstay in that department as she stayed on in both games despite heavy subbing as the Bulldogs allowed only three goals on the week.
 
In the first game of the week against the Governors she played 75 minutes. The next game was against S.C. State where she saw 42 minutes of action during a game that featured multiple subs and pouring rain. In that contest she had an assist as part of the Bulldogs dominant victory.
 
Watson, Rushing and the Bulldogs return to the field on Friday, September 24 in Itta Bena, Mississippi as they take on Mississippi Valley State with a 3 p.m. kickoff.