Sept. 7, 2010

ST. LOUIS - Illinois State junior forward Jessica Carlson was named the Missouri Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Week, after leading the Redbirds to a 2-1 win over Kansas, Sunday, at Adelaide Street Field.

"Jess is a player that we look for to provide offense for us and to create goal-scoring opportunities," head coach Drew Roff said. "As a junior, she is a team captain and a leader on our team. We knew it was only a matter of time before she was going to score a goal for us this season and she came through in a big way on Sunday."

Carlson netted her first two goals of the season in the victory over the Jayhawks, recording her 10th career game-winning goal. The Darien, Ill., native got her first goal of the 2010 season in the game's 21st minute, after beating a Kansas defender to a loose ball that caromed off the foot of senior Alyssa Schulz. Her second goal came on a header off an Anna Stinson corner kick with just 21 seconds remaining in the first half.

"It was a big win for us at home against a quality team from the Big 12," Roff said. "When big games come around, big players step up for you, and that is what makes Jess special. She stepped up, scored a couple of big goals for us and it is a great sign of things to come."

With this week's selection, Carlson garnered her second-career player of the week award. Carlson was named First Team All-Valley and earned State Farm MVC Tournament Most Valuable Player honors last season and was selected to the 2010 All-MVC Preseason Team.

Carlson and the Redbirds will be back in action Friday, when they travel to DeKalb, Ill., for a 2:30 p.m. match against in-state rival Northern Illinois.

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