Kansas Jayhawks freshman Ashley William's impressive first week was good enough to earn Big 12 Newcomer of the Week honors, the league announced Tuesday.
Williams scored two goals in her first two collegiate games, tied for the league lead in the early-going. She's the sixth Jayhawk since 2009 to win the award. Kansas beat Eastern Illinois 9-0 on Aug. 12 and UC Santa Barbara 2-1 in overtime on Aug. 17. They fell 2-1 at home to Northwestern on Aug. 19. They host the multi-school Kansas Invitational beginning Friday, Aug. 24, beginning with a game against Georgia.
Williams scored her first career goal in the UC Santa Barbara, where she buried a left-footed shot from five yards out in the 97th minute to give the team the win. The freshman forward took three shots in the game, two of which were on frame. The Albuquerque, N.M., native scored the Jayhawks’ lone goal in the Northwestern loss.
Head coach Mark Francis talked about Williams' honor with the athletic department's website.