A pair of soccer players earned the first Pronghorn Athlete of the Week nods after their efforts this past weekend as the University of Lethbridge opened Canada West play.

Third-year veteran Andrea Nippard (Calgary, Alta.) kicked off the Canada West regular season with a strong performance for the Horns. A defender, Nippard was switched to the striker position at halftime of Saturday's season-opening loss to University of Manitoba. The move paid immediate dividends as Nippard scored a pair of goals in the first seven minutes of the second half, and was a constant offensive threat for the remainder of the game.

Nippard would continue her strong play the next day and once again serve as the offensive catalyst. Registering nine shots on goal, she spearheaded the attack as the Horns suffered a tough 3-2 loss to University of Regina.

On the men's side, senior defender and captain Michael O'Brien (Calgary, Alta.) posted a pair of strong efforts as the Horns dropped two games on the west coast.

Despite the Horns losing two tight contests to the Fraser Valley Cascades and Victoria Vikes respectively, O'Brien was a defensive stalwart and showed exceptional leadership.

The biological science major had a shot on goal in the Horns' 2-0 season opening loss to the Cascades and was at his defensive best in a tough 2-1 defeat the next day against the Vikes.