This post was written by Hatchet reporter Josh Solomon.

Just after the women’s soccer team pulled out a last-second win in their Atlantic-10 conference opener at Rhode Island, two Colonials earned A-10 honors.

With a solid defensive effort between the posts, senior goalkeeper Nicole Ulrick took home A-10 Conference Player of the Week honors, and after her game-winning goal in the 89th minute, freshman Kate Elson was awarded Co-Rookie of the Week honors.

Ulrick recorded a career-high 10 saves against the Rams, including a dramatic diving save in the 82nd minute of the then-scoreless game. The offense had been controlling the tempo in their previous games, but Rhode Island gave Ulrick and the back line their biggest challenge of the season.

It was her third shutout on the season, playing the entire game as usual. Ulrick has not missed a minute in goal this season, totaling 870 minutes with a save percentage of .783 – fifth in the A-10.

Elson found the far post from just off the end line after splitting her defenders with less than 90 seconds to play in the 0-0 game against URI. It was her first goal of the season and third point.

It is the first time either player has earned A-10 weekly honors and the first time a GW player was dubbed with Player of the Week honors since then-junior Alex Neal won the recognition last season for her play against Columbia and Cornell. Additionally, Ulrick is the first to earn the award for her in-conference play since then-senior goalie Lindsey Rowe in 2011.

GW will move onto their second game of conference play Friday at home against La Salle. The team will need the efforts from both to take down an Explorers team that has not lost a regular season in-conference game since October 2010.