Valpo sophomore forward Kelsie James (Carmel, Ind./Carmel) has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week for the second time this season after scoring both of the Beacons’ goals in their 2-1 win over Evansville on Saturday night.

The MVC’s leading goal scorer, James opened the scoring on Saturday by taking advantage of an unusual opportunity in the 17^th minute. 35 yards upfield, Evansville goalkeeper Michaela Till hit a low line drive which hit a turning James, just over 15 yards away. James took a pair of touches and unleashed a strike with her right foot from 50 yards which carried over the head of Till and bounced home into the open net.

James completed her brace in the 26^th minute, making a nice run into the box in perfect position for a cross from Peyton Flynn. James got up and got her head on the ball, nodding it inside the far post for the eventual match-winning goal.

It was the second brace of James’ season, paired with a two-goal performance earlier this year at Duquesne. She now owns nine goals and 21 points this season, both of which lead all MVC players and both of which are tied for seventh-best in a single season in program history.

This marks the fifth weekly honor of James’ career from the MVC office, as she was Player of the Week once earlier this season and a three-time Freshman of the Week last season. The weekly award is the ninth earned by a Valpo player this season.