Alabama Soccer’s Chatham DeProspo Named ESPNW Soccer Player of the Week
9/15/2016 3:22:00 PM | Soccer
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama soccer junior midfielder Chatham DeProspo was named the ESPNW National Soccer Player of the Week, as announced by ESPN Thursday. DeProspo registered a first half hat trick against Southeastern Conference foe Tennessee last weekend to help lift the Crimson Tide to a 5-1 decisive victory over the Volunteers.
Earlier this week, DeProspo was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week because of her performance against Tennessee. She is also the first Alabama soccer player to earn ESPNW Soccer Player of the Week, and the first to earn weekly conference accolades since the 2014 season, when goalkeeper Emily Rusk was recognized by the league office.
"Winning an award like this doesn't happen without the support of your teammates, coaches and wonderful staff at Alabama," said Chatham DeProspo. "Every player on our roster is a big part of the award. I want to thank them and my incredible family for always believing in me. This is truly a great honor and it is very humbling. Big thanks to ESPNW for recognizing women's athletics!"
In large part to DeProspo's heorics, Alabama claimed its first SEC road opener victory since the 2014 season, when the Tide defeated Tennessee in a 1-0 decision that went into double-overtime. Moreover, Alabama's win over the Volunteers was also significant in the fact that it marks the largest margin of victory in an SEC opener in program history. It's also the second largest margin of victory over an SEC opponent in program history, behind the 5-0 win over LSU in the 1997 season.
All three of DeProspo's shots had distance on them, as each found the back of the net from 20 yards and beyond. She became the first Alabama player to record a hat trick since September 21, 2014, when Annalike Steyn collected three goals in a match against Alabama State.
The hat trick began in the ninth minute, as a Tennessee tried to clear an Alabama cross outside the packed 18-yard box. DeProspo was aligned with the left goalpost as she collected the rebound about 20 yards out, before ripping a shot that went cross goal into the right side of the net give the Tide an early 1-0 lead.
The offensive rhythm continued for DeProspo, as she converted from 25 yards out at the 29:04 minute mark off a pass from sophomore Emma Welch to extend the Alabama lead to 2-0.
DeProspo lengthened the Alabama lead to 3-0, as she completed her first half hat trick in the 34th minute on a free kick from 20 yards out. The goalkeeper took her initial step in the wrong direction, and DeProspo put the ball in the upper right corner on the free kick. There was no recovery attempt from the keeper, and all DeProspo could do was shrug and put her hands up in amazement.
The explosive midfielder recorded her three goals in just over half an hour.
The Tide will be back in action on Sunday, Sept. 18, when it travels to Lexington, Ky., to continue SEC play taking on Kentucky in a match that will be broadcasted on the SEC Network at 4 p.m. CT.
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