Aug. 25, 2008

PHILADELPHIA - A pair of UD women's soccer players was honored by the Atlantic 10 in its first Fall Sports Honor Roll (Aug. 18-24).

Junior forward Mandi Bäck was named the Atlantic 10 Player of the Week and freshman defender Kelsey Miller was named Atlantic 10 Co-Rookie of the Week.

Bäck earned the honor for the second time in her career after tallying two goals in Dayton's 4-1 victory over No. 26 ranked Indiana on Aug. 22. The Hoosier back line boasted Hermann Trophy Watch List candidate Kelly Lawrence, but Bäck was the star in this match. The reigning A-10 Offensive Player of the Year scored in the 6th minute and in the 58th minute against the nationally-ranked Hoosiers. She now has 23 career goals to her credit.

She also earned the honor as a sophomore (Sept. 17) after scoring the game-winning goal for UD in double overtime against Iowa State, propelling the Flyers to the Gopher Invitational title. Bäck earned A-10 Rookie of the Week honors as a freshman (Oct. 30) after notching her first career hat trick.

Miller started at central defender, one of four freshmen who started the Flyers' season opener against Indiana, and played the entire 90 minutes. Miller and the Flyer defense allowed the No. 26 Hoosiers just four shots on goal and was up to the task and held 2007 All Big-Ten selection Kristin Arnold (10 goals in 2007) to just one shot.

Miller has a strong soccer defensive family lineage - her brother Ryan played for Notre Dame and was drafted by the Columbus Crew, and her brother Andy is a starting defender and senior at Wisconsin.

The Flyers play in the Illini Cup Challenge this Friday, taking on Pittsburgh at 5 p.m. ET.