LAS CRUCES, N.M. (Sept. 20) - New Mexico State sophomore forward/midfielder Crystal Burns was named Verizon WAC Offensive Player of the Week, for the week of Sept. 13-19. This is her first career honor, and she is the third Aggie to earn the recognition this season.

Burns scored four goals and added three assists in a pair of wins for the Aggie soccer team over Alabama A&M, 8-0, Sept. 17, and Lamar, 4-0, Sept. 19. Against Alabama A&M, she scored two goals and added an assist, including her second game-winning goal of the season. It was her first-ever multiple-goal contest at NM State. In a 4-0 win over Lamar, Burns tallied two goals and two assists. She posted an impressive .833 shots on goal percentage in the final two non-conference matches of the season, and currently leads the team with six assists and 16 points.

“Crystal had a great weekend,” head coach Michael Needham said. “She did a lot more than score goals, her work on the defensive side of the ball gives her teammates a lot of energy, and was important in both games this weekend.”

The Aggie soccer team concludes non-conference action with a pair of matches on the road. NM State meets Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colo., Friday, Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. and Wyoming, in Laramie, Wyo., Sunday, Sept. 26 at noon.