Pelafas named MAC offensive player of the week
After stealing the show with a three-goal performance against Mount St. Mary's on Saturday, Central Michigan junior Lexi Pelafas has been selected as the Mid-American Conference offensive player of the week.
Pelafas is one of four CMU soccer players to ever record a hat trick. She has scored 26 career goals, which is tied with the program record for all-time goals scored.
“I’m humbled by it,” Pelafas said. “It’s an honor. My teammates setting me up for it, I’m just finishing the goals. So, thanks to my teammates for giving me the great balls.”
The forward has scored six goals in eight games this season to lead the team. She also has one assist and 42 shots this season.
After Pelafas' two-goal game against Robert Morris earlier this season, head coach Peter McGahey praised her scoring ability.
"Lexi (Pelafas) is a very good header," McGahey said. "We have a team who can finish those crosses and more importantly a team who can deliver those crosses, so I thought it was a very good day."
In 2016, Pelafas led CMU with 16 goals as a sophomore. She ranked No. 1 in the MAC in goalscoring and was named to the First Team All-MAC team. Pelafas was the first CMU forward to be named to the All-MAC team since 2012.
In her freshman year, she led CMU with four goals. Since coming to CMU in 2015, Pelafas has led CMU in scoring. She was also named to the MAC All-Freshman team in her first year with CMU.
The Chippewas start MAC play at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 22 at Kent State.
