Soccer

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The Association of Division III Independents released its first weekly honors for the week of September 2-9, and named Mount Mary College junior forward Rasika Perera (Oak Creek, Wis.) its women's soccer Player of the Week.

"This award and recognition speaks volumes on how far the program has come in the last few seasons," head coach Joe Shokatz said after Thursday's announcement. "Awards that recognize scoring in soccer should also recognize the whole team who put our forwards in a position to be successful. But scoring goals is very difficult—not everyone can do it and Rasika has been very successful and good at her job this season."

Perera scored three goals and added an assist in Mount Mary's 6-2 victory over Rockford last Saturday as the Blue Angels are off to their best start in school history. With the victory over the Regents, Mount Mary improved to 2-2 overall on the season and Perera and teammate Emily Ristow (Sheboygan, Wis.) have each tallied seven goals apiece.

Among all NCAA Division III programs, Perera's efforts are getting noticed in several individual statistical categories. Averaging 1.33 goals and 3.33 points (goals and assists) per game, Perera ranks 30th and 20th nationally, respectively, in this young season. She also ranks in the top 100 in total goals, total assists, assists per game, total points and game-winning goals. And though she has played in only four games the season, Perera has already established herself as a major offensive threat for a much-improved Blue Angel soccer squad.

"Not one person on the team has endured and overcome as many hardships both on the field and off that Rasika has faced this season," Shokatz said. "It is also an award for her determination to succeed not only in soccer, but also in life."

Perera becomes Mount Mary's first ever AD3I Player of the Week honored in women's soccer and joins the College of New Rochelle's volleyball player Meghan King (New City, N.Y.) as the first 2012 recipients of the P.O.W. honors.