A pair of Minnesota women's soccer players earned recognition this week after helping their team to victories over No. 20 South Carolina and Illinois State.

Forward Steph Brandt garnered Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors after recording three points for the week. Brandt tallied an assist in the first half against the 20th-ranked Gamecocks, helping Minnesota even the match 1-1, in its 3-1 win. She then scored the game-winning goal against Illinois State, striking first in the Gophers' 3-0 victory.

In earning her first-career conference award, Brandt becomes the first Gopher to earn Freshman of the Week honors since goalkeeper Cat Parkhill did it for the week of Sept. 7, 2009.



Meanwhile, senior midfielder Kylie Kallman became one of 12 Division I athletes to earn Primetime Performer of the Week honors from CollegeSoccer360.com. Kallman recorded two assists in Thursday's 3-1 win over South Carolina. The senior also set up a goal in Sunday's 3-0 shutout over Illinois State, although she was not credited with an assist. Kallman set up all three of the plays with corner kicks, including back-to-back corners that led to goals against the Gamecocks. She also played defensive midfielder for a Minnesota unit that allowed just one goal over the weekend and did not allow a shot on goal against the Redbirds.

Kallman is the second Minnesota player honored by CollegeSoccer360.com this season. Junior defender Tamara Strahota was also named a Primetime Performer for the week of Sept. 6, 2010.