October 2, 2012
MISSOURI VALLEY HONOR
Bostick named Offensive Player of the Week

ST. LOUIS – Illinois State senior Rachel Bostick is the Missouri Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Week. The Naperville, Ill., native scored a goal and recorded an assist in the Redbirds’ only game last week, a 2-1 victory at Creighton on Sept. 29.

Bostick’s offensive outburst came after being moved from a holding midfield role to forward. Her goal against the Bluejays opened the game’s scoring in the 16th minute, as she headed home a cross from Gabbi McArtor. Then, after being moved back into the midfield as the game progressed, Bostick played a ball over the top to Rachel Tejada, which she tracked down and slipped by the Creighton keeper for the game-winner in the 89th minute.

Bostick also scored the Redbirds’ lone goal in their conference-opening loss at Evansville, Sept. 23. Her two goals and five points in two MVC matches rank her second in the league for conference games.

Bostick has been in the starting 11 for the Redbirds’ last 52 matches, and has played and started in 62 games throughout her career. As a junior in 2011, she scored four goals and added an assist on her way to All-MVC Honorable Mention status. She ranked third on the team with six points on two goals and two assists as a sophomore in 2010. Bostick was an All-MVC Freshman and Second-Team selection as a freshman in 2009, scoring five goals and adding two assists in just 13 games.

The recognition is the Redbirds’ fifth weekly award of 2012, with Bostick being the third Redbird to receive an honor. Tejada has been named the MVC Offensive Player of the Week three times (Aug. 21, Aug. 28, Sept. 18), while Aryn Newsom was named the MVC Goalkeeper of the Week on Aug. 21.