LEE UNIVERSITY soccer standout Jamie Achten has been named the NAIA national Women’s Offensive Player of the Week.
Achten became the NAIA’s all-time career assist leader as the second-ranked Lady Flames defeated Spring Hill College, 6-0, in the quarterfinals of the Southern States Athletic Conference Tournament. The senior forward dished out a pair of assists on Senior Night to push her four-year total to 86, breaking the previous record of 84 held by former NAIA member William Jewell’s (Mo.) Kristin Neher (2001-04).
In addition to the two assists, Achten knocked in a pair of goals. Earlier in the week, the defending NAIA Player of the Year scored a goal in limited time against Southern Wesleyan University, as the Lady Flames earned a 7-0 win.
Hailing from Franklin, Achten is ranked among the nation’s top 20 in eight offensive statistical categories. She is first with 21 total assists and her 1.17 per game assist average. Achten is also fifth in total points (61) and points per game (3.39), 10th in shots on goal per game (3.06), 12th in goals per game (1.11) and total goals (20) and 20th in shots per game (5.0).
“I think that it was a great way for Jamie to represent herself on Senior Night by scoring the goals, but also by going out and breaking the national assist record,” said Lee head coach Matt Yelton.
“She has been a fantastic player for us and all of her accolades are well deserved. As good a player as Jamie is, she is an even better person, and I feel very fortunate to have been her coach the last four years.”
Achten, Yelton, and the Lady Flames (16-2) travel to Gulfport, Miss., for an SSAC Tournament semifinal match, Thursday at 2 p.m., against Faulkner University. With a win, the Lee ladies will move on to the championship match, Saturday, looking to win their 10th consecutive conference tournament championship.
