George earns soccer honor

Sydney George, a Huntington Beach High product who is a goalkeeper for the University of Houston women’s soccer team, was named American Athletic Conference Goalkeeper of the Week on Monday.

George, a senior who earned her first career weekly award, recorded a career-high 11 saves in a 0-0, double-overtime draw on the road at Houston Baptist.

George notched seven saves in the opening 45 minutes and went on to collect four through the final half and into overtime.

Her previous high in saves was seven, which came at Colorado College back on Oct. 9, 2011.

George played all 110 minutes in goal and collected her first shutout of the season. The effort in the net was instrumental as George helped Houston to its third shutout of 2013 and fourth straight overtime game.

In three starts this season, George has tallied 18 saves and a .857 save percentage for a 1-1-1 record.

“I am very proud of Sydney,” Houston Coach Chris Pfau said in a release. “She stayed focus and really had a great game on Sunday. We were very flat in the first half and Sydney made some great saves to keep us in the game. This is our third shutout in the last four games and to have two keepers to play at this level is tremendous. With both of our keepers playing at this level, we feel like this gives us confidence going into a very tough conference schedule.”

— From staff reports