Holloman Named WAC Defensive Player of the Week
8/26/2025 3:05:00 PM | Women's Soccer
ABILENE – Abilene Christian defender McCarly Holloman has been named the Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week, announced Monday, August 26 by the league office, after leading the Wildcats to a pair of shutout victories to open their 2025 home slate.
Holloman was a key part in ACU's defensive success, playing all 180 minutes across the Wildcats' wins over Tulsa (Aug. 21) and Houston Christian (Aug. 24). Against Tulsa, she not only anchored the back line with several key stops, including two goal-line clearances, but also sparked the Wildcats' attack by starting the sequence that led to the lone goal in the 1–0 win.
The senior continued her strong play against Houston Christian, once again controlling the defensive third and helping secure a 2–0 result for ACU's second consecutive clean sheet.
"McCarly defines resilience and leadership by demonstration on our team and in her play," said head coach Stephen Salas. "This weekend she was an impact on both sides of the ball with her 1v1 defending, ability to get into dangerous spaces in the attack, and how quickly she can flip the play from defending to finding an attacking opportunity on the other end.That was evident in the game against Tulsa when she picked off a pass and started the transition with an impactful ball to Peyton, which end in fantastic Abby Smith goal. Our backline was stellar this weekend so they all deserve the recognition, but McCarly's senior leadership was on full display."
This marks Holloman's second career WAC weekly honor, with her last being in 2023. She becomes the first Wildcat this season to earn a conference player of the week award.
