Margaret gets her first Player of the Week for Soccer at her college and for the Conference - she has 4 of them for Basketball

Margaret Cross, Zach Smith Win Covenant Player Of The Week Award

Posted October 19, 2011 

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN -- Margaret Cross and Zach Smith have been named Covenant’s most-outstanding players of the week for the week ending October 15.  For Cross, it’s the first time in her career to be distinguished in such a way for her efforts on the soccer field.  Smith, meanwhile, wins the award for the fourth time this season.

Cross, a senior but first year player for the Lady Scots soccer team, had a hand in both of Covenant’s wins last week.  She began the week assisting Kara Lee’s game-winning goal on the road at Piedmont.  Prior to Wednesday’s contest, the Lady Lions had swept all conference opponents and boasted an impressive 12-0-1 record.  Three days later, Cross scored the game-winner herself just four minutes into the overtime period against LaGrange College.  It was her third goal of the season and helped the Lady Scots win-streak climb to five games.

Smith, sophomore runner for the men’s cross country team, led the Scots to a second place team finish at the Oglethorpe University Invitational last week.  His 8K time of 29:35.76 was good enough for fourth overall in the field of 65 harriers.  Smith has now led Covenant in the last four meets.

For the complete list of players of the week, visit the player of the week page.

DECATUR, Ga.- Nearing the end of the fall sports regular season play, the Great South Athletic Conference Player of the Week awards feature first time winners for this season. Erin McKinstry from LaGrange for volleyball, Brian Beckham of Maryville and Margaret Cross of Covenant for men's and women's soccer, respectively. The duo of Beth Burgess and Zach Smith of Covenant round out this week's awards for women's and men's cross country, respectively.

Earning her first volleyball award is McKinstry from LaGrange. She lit up the competition over the past week breaking a school record for assists in a match with 59 versus conference competitor Huntingdon. A few days later, McKinstry exploded with 56 assists against Toccoa Falls in a Panther victory. She currently is second in the GSAC with an average of 7.84 assists per match.

Beckham, reigning men's soccer Conference Player of the Year, is setting himself for a second straight honor with his performance last week. The senior from Knoxville, Tennessee registered the game winning goal in a 3-1 victory over conference foe Huntingdon. Beckham has anchored the Maryville College midfield all year, paving the way for a 2-0 start in GSAC play along with a 9-2-2 mark overall.

On the women's soccer side, Cross nabbed her first Player of the Week award after helping the Lady Scots earn conference wins. She assisted the game-winning goal to take down the undefeated Lady Lions at Piedmont early in the week before scoring the game-winner herself at LaGrange three days later. That goal- her third of the season- came in the fourth minute of overtime and helped the Lady Scots win-streak climb to five games. 

Freshman Burress lands herself as the top women's runner of the conference this week after anchoring the Lady Scots cross country team. Burgess finished second overall at the Oglethorpe University Invitational last week. The freshman ran the 5K in 21:10.09 (a 6:48.8/mi pace). It's the second time Burgess has led the Lady Scots this season. Covenant finished second as a team for their third straight event.

Winning his third Men's Runner of the Week award, Smith continues to be a crucial asset to Covenant's cross country team. He led the Scots to a second place finish at the Oglethorpe University Invitational last week after finishing the race fourth overall. His 8K time of 29:35.76 (5:57.3/mi) was only 45 seconds off the individual race winner.