IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa junior Esme Gibson has been named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week, it was announced Tuesday by the Big Ten office. It is the first honor of Gibson’s career and the fourth straight week at least one Hawkeye has been recognized.
The Worcestershire, England, native earned the distinction after scoring three goals in road victories over Michigan State and Central Michigan. She was also a part of a midfield that aided the Iowa defense in posting two shutouts and holding the two opponents without a single shot on goal.
Gibson scored two goals for her first career multi-goal game, including the game-winner, in Iowa’s 5-0 victory over the Spartans before scoring once in the 4-0 victory over the Chippewas. She played all 120 minutes in the two games.
The two road wins moves Iowa to 7-0 on the road this season and improves the team’s overall record to 14-0, the best start for the program since 1992.
Iowa has earned six Big Ten weekly honors – the most for the program since 2016 – this season. Senior Maddy Murphy was the Offensive Player of the Week on Aug. 30 and Oct. 4, senior Anthe Nijziel was the Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 20 and Sept. 28, and senior Lokke Stribos was the Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 4.
The top-ranked Hawkeyes return to action Friday, hosting No. 2 Michigan at 2 p.m. (CT) at Grant Field. Admission is free and the game will be televised on BTN.
