CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. ? Senior defender Tyler Adair and sophomore goalkeeper Michelle Smith, of the Austin Peay State University women's soccer team, were named the Ohio Valley Conference's “Defensive Player of the Week” and “Goalkeeper of the Week,” respectively, the conference office announced, Tuesday.

The Lady Govs brought an end to their season-opening four-game skid with a pair of shut-out wins against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 6-0, and UNC-Asheville, 2-0, Friday and Sunday, respectively, at Morgan Brothers Soccer Field. Adair and Smith were each a played a substantial role in the vastly improved Austin Peay defense.

Adair, a 5-7 senior, anchored an Austin Peay defense that at many times played with three or more freshmen on the field. That young defense prevented Arkansas-Pine Bluff from forming any kind of offensive act in the game, limiting them to zero shots. The Collierville native involved herself offensively, Sunday, against UNC-Asheville, picking up the assist on Monica Dunham's game-winner. Adair lofted a ball through the defense that Dunham pushed past the keeper for the score.

Smith, a 5-9 sophomore, has improved in net each game. After allowing two goals in each of the first four road games, the Las Vegas native settled down for a pair of home matches. She played only the first half against Arkansas-Pine Bluff and did not face a shot. The following game, against UNC-Asheville, Smith made six stops and did not allow a goal. In fact, she made a finger-tip save late in the first half to preserve the shutout.

- AP -