Houston Dash goalkeeper Bianca Henninger was voted the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Player of the Week by the media for Week 7 of the 2015 NWSL season.
Henninger, 24, recorded her second shutout of the 2015 NWSL season on Saturday night, which aided the Dash to keep their 1-0 lead and win on the road against the Portland Thorns FC at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon.
The Los Gatos, California native had eight saves, including two crucial ones that came just prior to teammate Jessica McDonald’s lone goal against her former team. Henninger displayed cat-like reflexes as she saved the first shot from Sarah Jackson and was able to turn around, dive left and save another shot from Kendall Johnson.
The Thorns continued to pressure the Dash, but Henninger got her hand on every ball and made another decisive save in the 60th minute, as Portland midfielder Mana Shim attempted to head the ball inside the post.
The Santa Clara University alum is the second Dash player to be honored as the NWSL Player of the Week and only the fourth NWSL goalkeeper to receive the honor. The last Houston player to be named NWSL Player of the Week was midfielder Teresa Noyola, who obtained the honor in Week 2 of the 2014 NWSL season.
The Houston Dash will return to action Sunday, May 31 at 2:00 p.m. CT against Sky Blue FC at Yurcak Field in Piscataway, NJ.
The NWSL Player of the Week is selected each week of the regular season by a selection of journalists that cover the league on a consistent basis.
