Colorado State University Athletics
Photo by: CSU Athletics Communications
McDonald Named Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week
9/16/2019 1:27:00 PM | Women's Soccer
First Conference Award for McDonald
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Having led her team to another overtime shutout in the last week, sophomore goalkeeper Gabi McDonald has been named Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week, announced Monday by the league office.
In Friday's match against Denver, McDonald booked eight saves in the game, opening the door for the Rams to clinch the win in the fifth minute of overtime. The Fort Collins native remained steadfast in the net against 15 Pioneer shots on the afternoon. McDonald has helped the Rams (4-1-1) to three shutout wins on the season, including a 2-0 win against Marquette to open the season.
The performance is coming after McDonald recorded seven saves in 105 minutes of play in Colorado State's double overtime win against Grand Canyon a week prior.
McDonald started two games and appeared in five total last season, grabbing ten saves and allowing just one goal. So far, she has nearly quadrupled her saves in just six games, and has only allowed five goals from opposing teams. She sits atop the MW in the save category at 38.
"Every player has to do their job on the field, and goalkeeping is one of the most challenging," Colorado State head coach Bill Hempen said. "Gabi has risen to that occasion this year as our starting keeper after spending her first season learning behind another great keeper [Hunter Peifer]. She is taking everything that she's learned, and has translated it well onto the field."
The Rams are back on the road this weekend with a Friday game against Valparaiso at 7 p.m. MT, followed by a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. MT game versus Marquette.
For More on Colorado State Women's Soccer follow: Twitter – CSUFutbol | Instagram – csufutbol | Facebook – Colorado State Soccer
In Friday's match against Denver, McDonald booked eight saves in the game, opening the door for the Rams to clinch the win in the fifth minute of overtime. The Fort Collins native remained steadfast in the net against 15 Pioneer shots on the afternoon. McDonald has helped the Rams (4-1-1) to three shutout wins on the season, including a 2-0 win against Marquette to open the season.
The performance is coming after McDonald recorded seven saves in 105 minutes of play in Colorado State's double overtime win against Grand Canyon a week prior.
McDonald started two games and appeared in five total last season, grabbing ten saves and allowing just one goal. So far, she has nearly quadrupled her saves in just six games, and has only allowed five goals from opposing teams. She sits atop the MW in the save category at 38.
"Every player has to do their job on the field, and goalkeeping is one of the most challenging," Colorado State head coach Bill Hempen said. "Gabi has risen to that occasion this year as our starting keeper after spending her first season learning behind another great keeper [Hunter Peifer]. She is taking everything that she's learned, and has translated it well onto the field."
The Rams are back on the road this weekend with a Friday game against Valparaiso at 7 p.m. MT, followed by a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. MT game versus Marquette.
For More on Colorado State Women's Soccer follow: Twitter – CSUFutbol | Instagram – csufutbol | Facebook – Colorado State Soccer
Players Mentioned
GK
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's Soccer2025 Soccer Experience
Thursday, October 09
Colorado State Soccer: Fout (L), Hagen (M), McGowan (R) (9/1/25)
Monday, September 01
Colorado State Soccer: Mia Casey (L) & Kate Dunne (R) (8/6/25)
Wednesday, August 06
Colorado State Soccer: Keeley Hagen Media (8/6/25)
Wednesday, August 06