Ottumwa, IA – Teammates María Melendez (Aragua, Venezuela/Aragua Estudiantil) and Nana Tanikawa (Kawasaki, Japan/Takatsu) swept the weekly Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) DI Women's Soccer Athlete of the Week honors, announced Tuesday afternoon by the conference office.

The duo helped lead the Warriors to three victories last week to push the team's record to 9-2-0 overall, the program's best start to a season since 2021. With the three victories in tow, Indian Hills jumped into the national rankings this week at No. 20.

Melendez collects her third ICCAC DI Women's Soccer Goalkeeper of the Week honor in 2024 after going 3-0-0 in net for the Warriors. The sophomore keeper stopped eight shots on the week while allowing just three goals in 261 minutes of action.

Melendez currently ranks as the winningest goalkeeper in the nation with nine victories on the year while appearing in the most minutes (900:40) so far. Melendez currently ranks fourth in school history with 14 career wins and recently set the school record for career minutes played at 2045:40.

Tanikawa served as the offensive catalyst for the Warriors last week, tallying three goals and an assist to pace the Warrior offense. Tanikawa was credited with two game-winning goals last week, including a two-goal performance in a 3-2 win over Iowa Lakes Community Colege on September 20.

Tanikawa's offensive production has increase over the past six contests as the freshman has tallied 15 points (5g, 5a) to help the Warriors win six consecutive contests.

Indian Hills returns to action on September 26 with a trip to No. 2 nationally ranked Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, IA. Kick-off is set for 3:00 PM.

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