Burt and Drinkwater of Women's Soccer Each Garner C-USA Player of the Week Honors

Oct. 17, 2016

IRVING, Texas - Conference USA handed out their weekly soccer awards on Monday, and Florida Atlantic University women's players Erica Burt and Sydney Drinkwater were each recognized after two crucial conference wins.

For the second time this season and fourth time in her career, Burt was chosen as C-USA Defensive Player of the Week. She played all 180 minutes in two victories, starting with a 1-0 victory over league-leading WKU on Friday. The native of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida aided in limiting the Lady Toppers to just five shots and only one on goal. On Sunday, she helped hold Marshall to just six total shots and only two on target in a 2-1 decision.

"It's always an honor to receive recognition like this but our success this weekend was a total team effort," said Burt. "I'm so proud of how this team played and I think we set a new standard for ourselves."

"Erica has been impressive since she transferred two years ago and this year looks to be her best season yet," said Head Coach Patrick Baker. "She organizes and leads our backline, has a great presence in the air and we look to build through her with regularity. Erica has the ability to make the game easy for those around her and players enjoy playing with her. She is proving to be one of the top defenders in the conference and is a big reason we have been successful the past two years."

Drinkwater shared honors as C-USA Goalkeeper of the Week, for the first time this year and third time in her three-year career with the Owls. On Friday night, she recorded her eighth clean sheet of the season, and 26th of her career, setting a FAU women's program all-time record that had stood for 13 years. Moreover, the Merritt Island, Florida native broke it in only two-plus seasons (and 56 matches), while the previous record holder played in 80 total matches in four years. Drinkwater followed up that record-setting performance with her eighth victory of the year against Marshall on Sunday, pushing the Owls to second place in the C-USA standings.

"It's nice being recognized but I couldn't have done it without my defense," said Drinkwater. "They work so hard in front of me that it makes my job easy. And I would like to thank my mom for coming to every game with her lucky necklace on!"

"Sydney is having a very good senior year and is strong in so many areas of her game," added Baker. "We are fortunate to have her here. We do a fairly good job of limiting opponents' looks on goal, but when they do find a chance, it's nice to know that Sydney is our last line of defense. Her development under Coach (Michael) Crane has been impressive and she can definitely play at the next level."

The duo is nearing the end of their third season with the program, both having played together prior to coming to FAU as well.

"I'm also very excited for Sydney for receiving Goalkeeper of the Week and breaking the school shutout record," said Burt. "Syd and I have played together for the past five years at two different institutions, so sharing this success with her is extra special."

"We are very excited for Sydney and Erica to receive C-USA recognition for their performances over the weekend," said Baker. "We feel fortunate to have two players honored this week and the two results versus Western Kentucky and Marshall were huge going into the last part of the regular season."

To that end, the Owls have just two matches left on the docket, on the road this weekend and back home for the regular season finale the following Friday. They travel to El Paso, Texas, to take on UTEP this upcoming Sunday, Oct. 23 at 2 p.m. EST. Then, on Oct. 28, Burt and Drinkwater will be two of the six honorees on Senior Day, prior to the 7 p.m. kickoff against Rice.

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