Mercer Women's Soccer

SoCon

Women’s Soccer

What better way to start the holiday season than our annual Team Christmas Party 🐻🎄🎅
 #MUWS | #gobears https://t.co/BZ5UXMZ2uz

Tweet 1998934539666874695

Mercer

Samford Soccer

🗣️ Top-tier Coach...but we already knew that. Congrats @ToddYelton 

📰https://t.co/S8e3xytsDv

#DogDynasty | #AllForSAMford https://t.co/KprGsR2jg6

Tweet 1998857646972219525

Samford Bulldogs

Samford University

Wofford Women’s Soccer

Our coaches are on the road this weekend @ncfc_youth showcase series 🤩‼️

Kevin Dempsey &amp; Stephen Lee will be in Raleigh, North Carolina all weekend!!

#ConquerandPrevail #ForTheW https://t.co/e8G26Qq4bC

Tweet 1996946721117462566

Wofford

Wofford College

UNCG Women's Soccer

Ava Kiss will be on her way to Queensland, Australia to compete with Moreton City Excelsior FC in 2026! ⚽️

Join us in congratulating Ava! #letsgoG https://t.co/Kfhdk5eJkd

Tweet 1996693446686359989

UNC Greensboro

North Carolina Greensboro

Our Coaches are off to find some future bears in Kansas City! ✈️ 🏙️ Be sure to drop your schedule below if you are attending and best of luck! 

#GOBEARS | #ecnlkansascity https://t.co/HNyKpuMp0A

Tweet 1996317305114931299

Join us in wishing Morgan Shively a very happy birthday! #letsgoG 🎂🎈🎁 https://t.co/zxJkXQME9v

Tweet 1995959043064738242

Congratulations to senior Taylor Mentzer, who has signed with @LoganLightning in Queensland, Australia, following her December 2025 graduation at @uncg ‼️ ⚽️
#letsgoG https://t.co/2nPMHsV777

Tweet 1995611764151779844

VMI Women's Soccer

Can't wait for 2⃣0⃣2⃣6⃣ 🫡

📰: https://t.co/pkguSAQGKR

#RahVaMil https://t.co/kfv5maVuvy

Tweet 1995508523560837122

Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃 

#GoBears #MUWS https://t.co/yQIngTFhLY

Tweet 1994065299474186355

Western Carolina Soccer

Wishing everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving!! https://t.co/ebEThiXPib

Tweet 1994061106617213313

Western Carolina

SAM WSOC.png

SoCon White:Red Logo.png

The Southern Conference

Southern Conference

Samford Soccer Draws Florida State For NCAA Tournament

<div class="payload-richtext">BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – The No. 1 seed Samford Bulldogs won their seventh SoCon Tournament title as the Bulldogs defeated sixth-seeded Mercer, 4-1, on Sunday afternoon at Shauna Yelton Field in Birmingham, Alabama. Sunday’s championship win for Samford was the program’s second straight tournament crown. The Bulldogs’ win also gave the program their fifth title in the last seven seasons. Mercer scored in the opening minutes of the contest. Sydney Farr found Morgan Eikelbarner for a goal in the second minute, putting the Bears ahead 1-0. Samford scored the equalizer 20 minutes later. Langston Lilly found the top right of the goal off a rebound, tying the score at 1-1 in the 22nd minute. After halftime, Samford took the lead for good on a goal from Clare Nichols just 36 seconds into the frame. Tournament Most Outstanding Player Sam De Luca scored the Bulldogs’ third goal of the game in the 60th minute. In the 71st minute, Caroline Smith found the back of the net, ending the scoring for the match. Samford finished the game with 16 shots, while Mercer had nine for the contest. The Bulldogs also had six corner kicks to just two for the Bears.   The Bulldogs (13-2-5), who earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, will find out where they play next during the NCAA Selection show, which airs on NCAA.com on Monday, Nov. 10 at 4 p.m. ET. 2025 SoCon Women’s Soccer Championship All-Tournament Team  Samantha Grantham, The Citadel Grace Eatz, ETSU Katie Bengough, Furman Ava King, FurmanMorganne Eikelbarner, Mercer Sydney Farr, MercerMaggie Rollins, MercerAva Kiss, UNCG Martha Bishop, SamfordSam De Luca, SamfordHanna Rae Himes, SamfordAvery Stevens, Samford Caroline Richvalsky, ChattanoogaMackenzie Hobik, VMIIsabella DeMarco, Western CarolinaAbbie Wise, Western CarolinaEllie Gower, Wofford   Most Outstanding Player  Sam De Luca, Samford   Knight Commission Pinnacle Award (highest cumulative GPA among championship-eligible student-athletes on winning team) Fleming Dean, Samford 2025 Women's Soccer Championship Tuesday, Oct. 28 First Round (at higher seeds) Match 1: No. 8 Wofford 2, No. 9 The Citadel 1 Match 2: No. 7 UNCG 2, No 10 VMI 0 Friday, Oct. 31 Quarterfinals (at No. 1 & No. 2 seeds) Match 3: No. 1 Samford 2, No. 8 Wofford 0 (Birmingham, Alabama) Match 4: No. 5 Furman 2, No. 4 Chattanooga 1 (OT) (Birmingham, Alabama) Match 5: No. 2 Western Carolina 4, No. 7 UNCG 3 (OT) (Cullowhee, North Carolina) Match 6: No. 6 Mercer 2, No. 3 ETSU 1 (Cullowhee, North Carolina) Sunday, Nov. 2 Semifinals (at No. 1 & No. 2 seeds) Match 7: No. 1 Samford 3, No. 5 Furman 2 (2OT) (Birmingham, Alabama) Match 8: No. 6 Mercer 1, No. 2 Western Carolina 0 (2OT) (Cullowhee, North Carolina) Sunday, Nov. 9 Final (at Samford) Match 9: No. 1 Samford 4, No. 6 Mercer 1</div>

2025 Samford SoCon Champions.jpg

Samford wins 2025 SoCon Women's Soccer Championship 

2025 Women's Soccer Tournament

<div class="payload-richtext"><a href="https://samfordsports.com/news/2025/11/2/womens-soccer-penalty-kick-in-ot-lifts-samford-past-furman-in-socon-semifinal.aspx">
 No. 1 Samford 3
 </a>, <a href="https://furmanpaladins.com/news/2025/11/2/womens-soccer-double-overtime-penalty-kick-lifts-samford-over-furman-in-socon-semis-3-2.aspx">
 No. 5 Furman 2 (2OT)
 </a>SAM -  Samford's <a href="https://samfordsports.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/caroline-smith/9927">
 Caroline Smith
 </a> scored on a penalty kick in the 107th minute to lift the Bulldogs to a 3-2 overtime win over Furman in the semifinals of the Southern Conference Tournament Sunday afternoon at Shauna Yelton Field.   With the win, which was the 300th win for Samford head coach <a href="https://samfordsports.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/coaches/todd-yelton/1635">
 Todd Yelton
 </a> at the school, the Bulldogs advanced to the championship game of the tournament, with Samford hosting Mercer next Sunday, Nov. 9, at 1 p.m. at Shauna Yelton Field. Samford now has a record of 12-2-5 on the season. Furman ends its season with a record of 10-4-5.FUR - Carolina Smith converted a penalty kick I the 107th minute to lift No. 1 seed Samford to a 3-2 victory over No. 5 seed Furman in the semifinal round of the Southern Conference Women's Soccer Championship Sunday afternoon at Shauna Yelton Field.   With the victory, Samford (12-2-5) advanced to the SoCon Championship Match and will host No. 6 seed Mercer in the final next weekend. Furman finishes its season at 10-4-5.<a href="https://mercerbears.com/news/2025/11/2/womens-soccer-eikelbarners-penalty-kick-in-overtime-sends-mercer-to-1-0-win-over-western-carolina-in-socon-semifinal">
 No. 6 Mercer 1
 </a>, <a href="https://catamountsports.com/news/2025/11/2/womens-soccer-soccer-falls-1-0-to-mercer-in-overtime-in-socon-semifinals.aspx">
 No. 2 Western Carolina 0 (2OT)
 </a>MER - With a trip to the SoCon Tournament Championship game on the line, <a href="https://mercerbears.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/morganne-eikelbarner/11721">
 Morganne Eikelbarner
 </a> stepped up to the penalty spot in the 109th minute of the game and buried her shot in the back of the net to lift the Bears to a 1-0 win over Western Carolina in the SoCon Tournament Semifinal Sunday afternoon from the campus of Western Carolina in Cullowhee, North Carolina. With the win, the Bears advance to play the regular season champion Samford Bulldogs in the SoCon Tournament Championship game next Sunday, Nov. 9 from Birmingham, Alabama.WCU - Sixth-seeded Mercer scored the lone goal of Sunday's Southern Conference semifinal match on a penalty kick awarded with less than three minutes remaining in the second overtime session as No. 2 seed Western Carolina saw its 2025 season come to an end as the Bears advanced with their second upset on the pitch at the Catamount Athletics Complex. Mercer upended both third-seeded ETSU on Friday and second-seeded WCU on Sunday to punch its improbable ticket to next weekend's conference championship match. The Bears will meet top-seeded Samford, which likewise advanced on a PK whistled by officials in double-OT in ousting No. 5 seed Furman in Birmingham, Ala.</div>

Mercer 2025 WSOC Semifinals

No. 1 Samford, No. 6 Mercer advance to the SoCon Women's Soccer Championship

<div class="payload-richtext"><a href="https://samfordsports.com/news/2025/10/31/womens-soccer-soccer-earns-2-0-win-over-wofford-in-socon-tournament-quarterfinals.aspx">
 No. 1 Samford 2
 </a>, <a href="https://woffordterriers.com/news/2025/10/31/womens-soccer-womens-soccer-season-ends-in-heartbreaking-finale.aspx">
 No. 8 Wofford
 </a>SAM - The Samford soccer team advanced to the semifinals of the Southern Conference Tournament with a 2-0 win over Wofford in the quarterfinal round Friday afternoon at Shauna Yelton Field.   "The biggest thing I can say about our group is the way they maintained their composure against a really deep group defending," Samford head coach <a href="https://samfordsports.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/coaches/todd-yelton/1635">
 Todd Yelton
 </a> said. "A lot of times the game comes down to set pieces, and we really struggled early on in the season with that and we have come a long way and I'm just really, really proud of our kids."WOF -  The Wofford women's soccer team concluded their 2025 season in the quarterfinals of the Southern Conference Tournament at Shauna Yelton Field on Friday evening after a late second half penalty kick decided the match for the Terriers. The No. 8 Terriers fell 2-0 to No. 1 Samford in a battle for a spot in the conference semifinals.<a href="https://catamountsports.com/news/2025/11/1/womens-soccer-isabella-demarcos-hat-trick-night-lifts-catamounts-over-uncg-in-4-3-ot-win.aspx">
 No. 2 Western Carolina 4
 </a>, <a href="http://uncgspartans.com/news/2025/10/31/womens-soccer-western-carolina-edges-womens-soccer-in-overtime-4-3-in-socon-quarterfinal.aspx">
 No. 7 UNCG 3 (OT)
 </a>WCU -  Second-seeded Western Carolina women's soccer team is headed to the Southern Conference semifinals for the third consecutive season as the Catamounts rallied for a 4-3 win over the No. 7 seed UNCG Spartans on Friday night at the Catamount Athletics Complex.   Dubbed first-team All-Southern Conference for the fourth time in her WCU career, senior <a href="https://catamountsports.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/isabella-demarco/14185">
 Isabella DeMarco
 </a> had a hand in all four of WCU's goals, providing an assist on <a href="https://catamountsports.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/gabriela-vatrano/14200">
 Gabriela Vatrano's
 </a> game-tying marker in the 86th minute before notching her fourth career hat-trick with the game-winning golden goal in the 99th minute of extra time.UNCG - The seventh-seeded UNC Greensboro (UNCG) women's soccer team fell 4-3 to the second-seeded Western Carolina Catamounts in overtime on Friday night at Catamount Athletic Complex in The Southern Conference (SoCon) quarterfinal matchup.<a href="https://mercerbears.com/news/2025/10/31/womens-soccer-mercer-defeats-etsu-2-1-to-advance-to-socon-tournament-semifinals">
 No. 6 Mercer 2
 </a>, <a href="https://etsubucs.com/news/2025/10/31/womens-soccer-ends-season-in-socon-quarterfinals.aspx">
 No. 3 ETSU 1
 </a>MER - <a href="https://mercerbears.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/maria-karipidis/11725">
 Maria Karipidis
 </a> headed in the game-winning goal off a corner kick in the 83rd minute to lift the No. 6 seed Mercer Bears to a 2-1 win over No. 3 seed ETSU in the SoCon Tournament Quarterfinals Friday evening from the campus of Western Carolina in Cullowhee, North Carolina.ETSU - Not every season can end in glory, even the ones that deserve it. Especially the ones that deserve it. The ETSU women's soccer team lost 2-1 to the Mercer Bears on Friday afternoon at the Catamount Sports Complex in Cullowhee, North Carolina, ending their season in the quarterfinals of the 2025 SoCon Women's Soccer Championship.  <a href="https://furmanpaladins.com/news/2025/11/1/womens-soccer-visits-samford-in-sunday-semifinal.aspx">
 No. 5 Furman 2
 </a>, <a href="https://gomocs.com/news/2025/10/31/womens-soccer-soccer-falls-in-overtime-heartbreaker-to-furman.aspx">
 No. 4 Chattanooga 1 (OT)
 </a>FUR -  The Furman women's soccer team looks to earn a trip to its 19th Southern Conference Championship Match when the fourth-seeded Paladins visit No. 1 seed Samford in Sunday afternoon's semifinal round.   Kickoff at Shauna Yelton Field is set for 2 p.m. EST and will be streamed live on ESPN+. Links for the live stream and live statistics are available on the women's soccer schedule page at FurmanPaladins.com.   Birmingham native <a href="https://furmanpaladins.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/norah-roller/7156">
 Norah Roller's
 </a> heroics on Friday night propelled the Paladins, 10-3-5 on the season, into Sunday's semifinals. With Furman trailing Chattanooga 1-0 and under five minutes to play in regulation, Roller netted the equalizer goal to force overtime. Just 51 seconds into the extra period, she took a pass from fellow Birmingham native <a href="https://furmanpaladins.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/maddie-massie/7155">
 Maddie Massie
 </a> and buried a shot into the left-hand corner to hand Furman a 2-1 victory over the Mocs. The overtime winner marked Roller's team-best eighth goal of the season.UTC - The Chattanooga women's soccer team saw its Southern Conference Tournament run come to a heartbreaking end Friday night, falling 2-1 in overtime to Furman in the quarterfinal round at the Samford Track and Soccer Stadium.   Sophomore forward <a href="https://gomocs.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/paige-thomas/15536">
 Paige Thomas
 </a> gave the Mocs a late spark, breaking a scoreless tie in the 84th minute with her ninth goal of the season. Senior <a href="https://gomocs.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/clarissa-salinas/15533">
 Clarissa Salinas
 </a> delivered the assist to set up the go-ahead strike, igniting the Chattanooga bench.2025 Women's Soccer Championship Tuesday, Oct. 28 First Round (at higher seeds) Match 1: No. 8 Wofford 2, No. 9 The Citadel 1 Match 2: No. 7 UNCG 2, No 10 VMI 0 Friday, Oct. 31 Quarterfinals (at No. 1 & No. 2 seeds) Match 3: No. 1 Samford 2, No. 8 Wofford 0 (Birmingham, Alabama) Match 4: No. 5 Furman 2, No. 4 Chattanooga 1 (OT) (Birmingham, Alabama) Match 5: No. 2 Western Carolina 4, No. 7 UNCG 3 (OT) (Cullowhee, North Carolina) Match 6: No. 6 Mercer 2, No. 3 ETSU 1 (Cullowhee, North Carolina) Sunday, Nov. 2 Semifinals (at No. 1 & No. 2 seeds) Match 7: No. 1 Samford vs. No. 5 Furman, 1 p.m. CT (Birmingham, Alabama) Match 8: No. 2 Western Carolina vs. No. 6 Mercer, 2 p.m. (Cullowhee, North Carolina) Saturday, Nov. 8, or Sunday, Nov. 9 Final (Highest remaining seed, location TBD) Match 9: Winner Match 7 vs. Winner Match 8, TBD *all times Eastern unless otherwise noted</div>

Furman 2025 WSOC Quarterfinals

Chattanooga Mocs

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

ETSU Buccaneers

East Tennessee State University

Furman Paladins

Furman University

Semifinals are set for the Women's Soccer Championship

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Samford forward Sam De Luca has been named the Southern Conference Player of the Year and Western Carolina midfielder Ava Robitaille was named SoCon Defensive Player of the Year. The Bulldogs’ head coach, Todd Yelton, was named SoCon Coach of the Year after his squad captured the outright SoCon regular-season title. Chattanooga forward Quinn Johnson was tabbed SoCon Freshman of the Year.The league coaches voted on a pair of all-conference teams, an all-freshman team and the four individual awards. They were not allowed to vote for themselves or their own players. The first and second teams each include 11 players, selected by position. Due to a tie in the voting, the second team has an additional midfielder, forward, defender and goalkeeper. The all-freshman team also consists of 11 players, but gives no regard to position.Samford and Western Carolina each had six players on the all-conference teams, sharing the lead for the most selections. ETSU followed with five selections, while Chattanooga had four and Furman brought in three. UNCG had two players on the all-conference teams.De Luca scored a conference-best 28 points this season, with 21 of those coming in SoCon contests. The junior from Little Rock, Arkansas, also tied for the league lead in goals (9) during conference competition. De Luca, who was named the SoCon Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 14, after logging a hat trick against VMI on Oct. 10. She began the conference season with at least one goal in four straight matches, including a pair of goals versus The Citadel on Oct. 2. De Luca is third Samford player to win SoCon Player of the Year, joining 2009 winner Amber Cress and 2016 and 2017 winner Jermaine Seoposenwe.Robitaille anchored the Western Carolina defense that gave up just seven goals during SoCon play. The native of Rock Hill, South Carolina, started all 18 matches for the Catamounts and helped contribute to the team’s offensive attack with four goals, one being a game winner, and two assists. The junior led a defense that had eight shutouts, which included four straight during conference play. Robitaille, who is the only Western Carolina player to be named SoCon Defensive Player of the Year, won the honor for the second consecutive season.Johnson started six of the squad’s nine conference matches. The product of Vancouver, British Columbia, finished the season with 12 points, 11 coming in the team’s final six contests. She was named the SoCon Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 21, after scoring three goals over two games against Furman and VMI. Johnson is the second Moc to be named SoCon Freshman of the Year, with Chloe Arnold being the other recipient back in 2017.Yelton, in his 24th season at the helm of the Bulldogs, earns coach of the year honors for the seventh time in his career. Samford finished 10-2-5 overall and 7-0-2 in league play. The Bulldogs have not suffered a defeat in their last 14 outings, with the team’s last setback coming on Aug. 24 versus Alabama. Samford secured its first outright regular-season title since 2021 with a 2-1 win at UNCG on Oct. 26, leading the squad to the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament.Five of the six Western Carolina players who were on the all-conference teams were first-team picks. Samford had three on the first team, ETSU had two and Chattanooga finished with one selection. Robitaille was joined by forward Isabella DeMarco, defenders Mary Mueth and Abbie Wise, and goalkeeper Leanne Trudel. For the second straight season, Robitaille, DeMarco and Trudel all made the first team, with DeMarco making the squad for the fourth time in her Catamount career.Samford was represented by De Luca, midfielder Sarah Holland and defender Caroline Smith on the first team. ETSU first-team selections were forward Reagan Fitzgerald and midfielder Garce Eatz. Chattanooga’s Caroline Richvalsky rounded out the first team.ETSU, Furman, Samford and Chattanooga all had three selections on the second team. UNCG had two, while Western Carolina placed one on the second team. The Bucs placed defenders Georgia Shields and Ella Parker and goalkeeper Addison Yelton on the squad. The Paladins saw forward Norah Roller, midfielder Maddie Massie and defender Ellie Herrmann make the second team.The three spots on the second team for the Bulldogs were claimed by forward Mamie Carman, midfielder Fleming Dean and goalkeeper Peyton Hull. Johnson along with teammates, midfielder Clarissa Salinas and defender Brenna Swiger, represented the Mocs on the squad. UNCG midfielders Taylor Mentzer and Rina Ogimoto, and Western Carolina defender Milla Syska completed the second team selections.ETSU, Mercer and Chattanooga all placed two players on the all-freshman team. The Citadel, Furman, Samford, Western Carolina and Wofford each had one represented.Four quarterfinal games highlight Friday’s Southern Conference Women’s Soccer Championship slate as No. 1 seed Samford hosts No. 8 Wofford at 4 p.m. CT ahead of a 7 p.m. CT game between No. 5 Furman and No. 4 Chattanooga. No. 2 Western Carolina hosts No. 7 UNCG at 7 p.m. after No. 3 ETSU and No. 6 Mercer take the field at 4 p.m. The semifinals will be played on Sunday, Nov. 2, at Samford and Western Carolina, with the championship scheduled for Nov. 8 or 9 at the highest remaining seed. All contests will air on ESPN+. 2025 Women's Soccer All-Conference Team    Player of the Year – Sam De Luca, Jr., F, Samford Defensive Player of the Year – Ava Robitaille, Sr., M, Western Carolina Coach of the Year – Todd Yelton, Samford Freshman of the Year – Quinn Johnson, F, Chattanooga   First Team F – Reagan Fitzgerald, ETSUF – Sam De Luca, SamfordF – Caroline Richvalsky, ChattanoogaF – Isabella DeMarco, Western CarolinaM – Grace Eatz, ETSUM – Sarah Holland, SamfordM – Ava Robitaille, Western CarolinaD – Caroline Smith, SamfordD – Mary Mueth, Western CarolinaD – Abbie Wise, Western CarolinaGK – Leanne Trudel, Western Carolina   Second Team F – Norah Roller, FurmanF – Mamie Carman, SamfordF – Quinn Johnson, ChattanoogaF – Milla Syska, Western CarolinaM – Maddie Massie, FurmanM – Taylor Mentzer, UNCGM – Rina Ogimoto, UNCGM – Fleming Dean, SamfordM – Clarissa Salinas, ChattanoogaD – Georgia Shields, ETSUD – Ella Parker, ETSUD – Ellie Herrmann, FurmanD – Brenna Swiger, ChattanoogaGK – Addison Yelton, ETSUGK – Peyton Hull, Samford All-Freshman Team Gabi Macer, The CitadelAinsley Parker, ETSUCaroline Wawak, ETSUJessica Mattson, FurmanKelsie Henton, MercerPayton Nutzman, MercerMamie Carman, SamfordQuinn Johnson, ChattanoogaReese Wilson, ChattanoogaAddison Davis, Western CarolinaJulia Grier, Wofford</div>

SoCon Women's Soccer Postseason Awards

2025.WSOC_Postseason.Honors

<div class="payload-richtext"><a href="https://uncgspartans.com/news/2025/10/28/womens-soccer-womens-soccer-advances-past-vmi-2-0.aspx">
 No. 7 UNCG 2
 </a>, <a href="https://vmikeydets.com/news/2025/10/28/womens-soccer-womens-soccer-season-comes-to-close-in-loss-at-uncg.aspx">
 No. 10 VMI 0
 </a><a href="https://woffordterriers.com/news/2025/10/28/womens-soccer-dramatic-goals-by-obradovac-and-gower-advance-womens-soccer-to-the-socon-quarterfinals.aspx">
 No. 8 Wofford 2
 </a>, <a href="https://citadelsports.com/news/2025/10/28/womens-soccer-bulldogs-wrap-up-season-after-socon-first-round-battle-at-wofford.aspx">
 No. 9 The Citadel 1
 </a></div>

WOF_SoCon_Champ_WSOC.jpg

No. 7 UNCG, No. 8 Wofford advance in SoCon Women's Soccer Championship

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Furman forward Briyah Drayton and Wofford goalkeeper Elizabeth Navola have been named the Southern Conference women’s soccer offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively, for all competition from Oct. 21-27. Drayton came off the bench and scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner, in Furman’s 6-2 win over The Citadel on Oct. 26. The native of Apopka, Florida, logged her first score in the 80th minute, putting the Paladins up 3-2. The graduate student scored again in the 87th minute, finishing Furman’s scoring barrage at the end of the contest. Drayton made her impact the squad’s regular season finale in just 24 minutes of action. Navola played all 90 minutes inside the net in Wofford’s scoreless draw at Mercer on Oct. 26. The sophomore logged a career-high 17 saves in the contest, which was the highest of any SoCon player this season. The product of Davidson, North Carolina, recorded her third straight shutout in the match, giving her six overall for the year. Navola leads the conference in goalie minutes played (1649:23), which is fourth-most in the NCAA this season. Furman will play in the quarterfinals of the Southern Conference Championship against Chattanooga at 7 p.m. CT on Oct. 31. The game will be played in Birmingham, Alabama. Wofford hosts The Citadel today at 6 p.m. in the first round of the SoCon Championship. The winner of the game will take on Samford at 4 p.m. CT on Oct. 31. Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Grace Eatz (ETSU), Sarah Holland (Samford), and Caroline Richvalsky (Chattanooga)Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Addison Yelton (ETSU), Peyton Hull (Samford), and Caroline Ekern (Chattanooga) 2025 SoCon Women’s Soccer Offensive Players of the Week Aug. 19             Reagan Fitzgerald, Jr., F, ETSU Aug. 26             Paige Thomas, So., F, Chattanooga Sept. 2             Gabriela Vatrano, So., MF, Western Carolina Sept. 9             Morganne Eikelbarner, Sr., F, Mercer Sept. 16            Reagan Fitzgerald, Jr., F, ETSU Sept. 23            Norah Roller, Jr., F, Furman Sept. 30            Alice Williamson, Gr., F, The CitadelOct. 7               Isabella DeMarco, Sr., F, Western CarolinaOct. 14             Sam De Luca, Jr., F, SamfordOct. 21             Quinn Johnson, Fr., F, ChattanoogaOct. 28             Briyah Drayton, Gr., F, Furman 2025 SoCon Women’s Soccer Defensive Players of the Week Aug. 19             Caroline Ekern, Sr., GK, Chattanooga Aug. 26             Reese DeJong, So., GK, Furman Sept. 2             Caroline Ekern, Sr., GK, Chattanooga Sept. 9             Peyton Hull, R-So., GK, Samford  Sept. 16            Peyton Hull, R-So., GK, Samford  Sept. 23            Peyton Hull, R-So., GK, Samford  Sept. 30            Reese DeJong, So., GK, Furman Oct. 7               Emma Malone, Sr., GK, UNCGOct. 14             Charlotte Seay, So., D, The CitadelOct. 21             Peyton Hull, R-So., GK, Samford  Oct. 28             Elizabeth Navola, So., GK, Wofford </div>

10.28 WSOC Player of the Week

10.28 Women's Soccer Players of the Week

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Samford claimed the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Southern Conference Women’s Soccer Championship after posting an 7-0-2 league mark this season. The Bulldogs won their first regular season crown since 2022, clinching the outright title with a 2-1 win on Sunday over UNCG. Samford will be looking for its second consecutive SoCon Tournament crown this season, after winning last year's title match, 1-0, over Western Carolina. The tournament begins on Tuesday, Oct. 28, with a pair of first-round matches on campus sites. The quarterfinal round follows on Oct. 31 with the semifinal round set for Nov. 2, both hosted by top-seed Samford and No. 2 seed Western Carolina. The championship will be played at the highest remaining seed on Nov. 8 or 9. Western Carolina went 5-2-2 in league play to earn the No. 2 seed. The Catamounts await the winner of the matchup between No. 7 UNCG and No. 10 VMI. Western Carolina topped UNCG, 4-2, on Oct. 19, and defeated VMI, 9-0, on Oct. 2. ETSU is the No. 3 seed. The Buccaneers will play No. 6 Mercer in the quarterfinals at 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31. The two teams tied, 1-1, back on Sept. 26, in Macon. The No. 4 seed is Chattanooga, who will face fifth-seeded Furman on Friday, Oct. 31, at 7 p.m. CT. The Mocs and Paladins played to a 1-1 tie in Chattanooga on Oct. 16. UNCG and VMI’s first round match will take place in Greensboro, North Carolina, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 6 p.m. The Spartans won their first matchup of the season, 4-0, on Sept. 18. Wofford, who is the No. 8 seed, will host No. 9 The Citadel on Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 6 p.m. The Terriers and Bulldogs tied 1-1 on Sept. 21. Samford will host the winner of Wofford and The Citadel on Friday, Oct. 31, at 4 p.m. CT.  The tournament winner earns the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Women’s Soccer Championship.   2025 Women's Soccer Championship Tuesday, Oct. 28 First Round (at higher seeds) Match 1: No. 9 The Citadel at No. 8 Wofford, 6 p.m. Match 2: No 10 VMI at No. 7 UNCG, 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31 Quarterfinals (at No. 1 & No. 2 seeds) Match 3: Winner Match 1 at No. 1 Samford, 4 p.m. CT (Birmingham, Alabama) Match 4: No. 4 Chattanooga vs. No. 5 Furman, 7 p.m. CT (Birmingham, Alabama) Match 5: Winner Match 2 at No. 2 Western Carolina, 7 p.m. (Cullowhee, North Carolina) Match 6: No. 3 ETSU vs. No. 6 Mercer, 4 p.m. (Cullowhee, North Carolina) Sunday, Nov. 2 Semifinals (at No. 1 & No. 2 seeds) Match 7: Winner Match 3 vs. Winner Match 4, 1 p.m. CT (Birmingham, Alabama) Match 8: Winner Match 5 vs. Winner Match 6, 2 p.m. (Cullowhee, North Carolina) Saturday, Nov. 8, or Sunday, Nov. 9 Final (Highest remaining seed, location TBD) Match 9: Winner Match 7 vs. Winner Match 8, TBD *all times Eastern unless otherwise noted</div>

2025 SoCon Women's Soccer Champs Samford.jpg

Samford wins regular-season title; earn No. 1 seed

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Chattanooga forward Quinn Johnson and Samford goalkeeper Peyton Hull have been named the Southern Conference women’s soccer offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively, for all competition from Oct. 14-20.Johnson had six points over two games last week for Chattanooga. The product of Vancouver, Canada, scored a goal in the second minute of a 1-1 draw against Furman on Oct. 16. The freshman logged her first career brace in a 3-0 win against VMI on Oct. 19. Johnson recorded her goals in the fifth and 53rd minutes versus the Keydets.Hull, who won the honor for the fourth time this season, played all 180 minutes inside the net in Samford’s two conference wins last week. The redshirt sophomore had six saves as the Bulldogs defeated Mercer, 3-0, on Oct. 16. Three days later, the native of South Bend, Indiana, finished with another six saves in a 3-0 win over ETSU. After her pair of shutouts last week, Hull’s season total went to 10, moving her into second in the NCAA in the category.Chattanooga plays at Western Carolina on Sunday. Samford, who clinched a share of the conference regular season title last week, travels to UNCG on Sunday.Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Ryen Ortiz (UNCG), Martha Bishop (Samford), Isabella DeMarco (Western Carolina), and Ellie Gower (Wofford) Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Caroline Ekern (Chattanooga), Leanne Trudel (Western Carolina), and Elizabeth Navola (Wofford) 2025 SoCon Women’s Soccer Offensive Players of the Week Aug. 19             Reagan Fitzgerald, Jr., F, ETSU Aug. 26             Paige Thomas, So., F, Chattanooga Sept. 2             Gabriela Vatrano, So., MF, Western Carolina Sept. 9             Morganne Eikelbarner, Sr., F, Mercer Sept. 16            Reagan Fitzgerald, Jr., F, ETSU Sept. 23            Norah Roller, Jr., F, Furman Sept. 30            Alice Williamson, Gr., F, The CitadelOct. 7               Isabella DeMarco, Sr., F, Western CarolinaOct. 14             Sam De Luca, Jr., F, SamfordOct. 21             Quinn Johnson, Fr., F, Chattanooga 2025 SoCon Women’s Soccer Defensive Players of the Week Aug. 19             Caroline Ekern, Sr., GK, Chattanooga Aug. 26             Reese DeJong, So., GK, Furman Sept. 2             Caroline Ekern, Sr., GK, Chattanooga Sept. 9             Peyton Hull, R-So., GK, Samford  Sept. 16            Peyton Hull, R-So., GK, Samford  Sept. 23            Peyton Hull, R-So., GK, Samford  Sept. 30            Reese DeJong, So., GK, Furman Oct. 7               Emma Malone, Sr., GK, UNCGOct. 14             Charlotte Seay, So., D, The CitadelOct. 21             Peyton Hull, R-So., GK, Samford  </div>

10.21 SoCon_WSOC_POTW.jpg

SoCon women’s soccer players of the week announced

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Samford forward Sam De Luca and The Citadel defender Charlotte Seay have been named the Southern Conference women’s soccer offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively, for all competition from Oct. 7-13.De Luca finished with seven points in Samford’s 4-2 win over VMI on Oct. 10. The junior had a hand in all four goals, logging a hat trick and an assist in the contest. The native of Little Rock, Arkansas, scored goals in the sixth, 17th and 65th minutes, and recorded her assist on a goal by Mamie Carman in the 53rd minute. De Luca’s hat trick marked the first by a Samford player since the 2020-21 season. De Luca currently leads the SoCon in goals with 11, which is ranked fifth in the NCAA.Seay led the Bulldogs’ backline in a 2-1 win over Chattanooga on Oct. 10. The sophomore from Jacksonville, Florida, played all 90 minutes in the match, netting the game-winning goal in the 85th minute. Seay’s goal gave The Citadel its first win over Chattanooga since 2014, ending an eight-game winning streak for the Mocs.Samford (7-2-5, 4-0-2 SoCon) plays at Mercer on Thursday, before returning home to face ETSU on Sunday. The Citadel (5-6-2, 2-3-1) travels to UNCG on Thursday, and hosts Mercer on Sunday.Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Samantha Grantham (The Citadel) and Rachel Baez (VMI) Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Avery Parker (Mercer) and Leanne Trudel (Western Carolina) 2025 SoCon Women’s Soccer Offensive Players of the Week Aug. 19             Reagan Fitzgerald, Jr., F, ETSU Aug. 26             Paige Thomas, So., F, Chattanooga Sept. 2             Gabriela Vatrano, So., MF, Western Carolina Sept. 9             Morganne Eikelbarner, Sr., F, Mercer Sept. 16            Reagan Fitzgerald, Jr., F, ETSU Sept. 23            Norah Roller, Jr., F, Furman Sept. 30            Alice Williamson, Gr., F, The CitadelOct. 7               Isabella DeMarco, Sr., F, Western CarolinaOct. 14             Sam De Luca, Jr., F, Samford 2025 SoCon Women’s Soccer Defensive Players of the Week Aug. 19             Caroline Ekern, Sr., GK, Chattanooga Aug. 26             Reese DeJong, So., GK, Furman Sept. 2             Caroline Ekern, Sr., GK, Chattanooga Sept. 9             Peyton Hull, R-So., GK, Samford  Sept. 16            Peyton Hull, R-So., GK, Samford  Sept. 23            Peyton Hull, R-So., GK, Samford  Sept. 30            Reese DeJong, So., GK, Furman Oct. 7               Emma Malone, Sr., GK, UNCGOct. 14             Charlotte Seay, So., D, The Citadel</div>

10.14 SoCon_WSOC_POTW.jpg

The Citadel

Citadel

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Western Carolina forward Isabella DeMarco and UNCG goalkeeper Emma Malone have been named the Southern Conference women’s soccer offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively, for all competition from Sept. 30-Oct. 6.DeMarco scored five goals for Western Carolina last week as the Catamounts won a pair of conference matches last week. The native of Charleston, South Carolina, recorded a hat trick versus VMI on Oct. 2, netting goals in the 17th, 18th and 32nd minutes, as the Catamounts were victorious 9-0. The senior also had an assist in the 57th minute against the Keydets. DeMarco followed that performance up with a pair of goals at The Citadel on Oct. 5, scoring the game-winning goal in the fifth minute and her second in the 34th minute.Malone posted a pair of shutouts for UNCG last week. The senior began her week with four saves in a 1-0 win over Furman on Oct. 2. The Spartans’ win gave the Paladins their first defeat in 10 matches, dating back to Aug. 14. The product of Wallingford, Connecticut, logged a save in the team’s scoreless draw at Wofford on Oct. 5. Malone now has four shutouts this season.Western Carolina (7-4-3, 3-1-1 SoCon) plays against Wofford on Friday. UNCG (3-8-2, 2-1-2) travels to Mercer on Saturday.Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Reagan Fitzgerald (ETSU), Clare Nicholas (Samford), and Caroline Richvalsky (Chattanooga) Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Addison Yelton (ETSU), Peyton Hull (Samford), Maren Ryberg (VMI), and Leanne Trudel (Western Carolina) 2025 SoCon Women’s Soccer Offensive Players of the Week Aug. 19             Reagan Fitzgerald, Jr., F, ETSU Aug. 26             Paige Thomas, So., F, Chattanooga Sept. 2             Gabriela Vatrano, So., MF, Western Carolina Sept. 9             Morganne Eikelbarner, Sr., F, Mercer Sept. 16            Reagan Fitzgerald, Jr., F, ETSU Sept. 23            Norah Roller, Jr., F, Furman Sept. 30            Alice Williamson, Gr., F, The CitadelOct. 7               Isabella DeMarco, Sr., F, Western Carolina 2025 SoCon Women’s Soccer Defensive Players of the Week Aug. 19             Caroline Ekern, Sr., GK, Chattanooga Aug. 26             Reese DeJong, So., GK, Furman Sept. 2             Caroline Ekern, Sr., GK, Chattanooga Sept. 9             Peyton Hull, R-So., GK, Samford  Sept. 16            Peyton Hull, R-So., GK, Samford  Sept. 23            Peyton Hull, R-So., GK, Samford  Sept. 30            Reese DeJong, So., GK, Furman Oct. 7               Emma Malone, Sr., GK, UNCG</div>

10.7_SoCon_WSOC_POTW.jpg

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Furman forward Norah Roller and Samford goalkeeper Peyton Hull have been named the Southern Conference women’s soccer offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively, for all competition from Sept. 16-22.Roller scored three goals for Furman last week as the Paladins went 1-0-1 in their first two conference matches. The junior from Birmingham, Alabama, scored the first goal of the game in the seventh minute of a 2-2 draw versus Mercer on Sept. 18. Three days later, the forward recorded a brace during the team’s 2-1 win at VMI. Roller’s first score came in the 51st minute, before putting the game-winning goal in the back of the net in the 63rd minute. Roller holds the SoCon’s best shot accuracy this season (.636) and leads the Paladins in goals with five.Hull won her third straight weekly honor after a pair of career nights last week for Samford. On Sept. 18, in a matchup of the past two conference champions against Western Carolina, the native of South Bend, Indiana, saved a career-best nine shots in a 2-2 draw against the Catamounts. The redshirt sophomore topped that performance three days later, logging a career-high 10 shots and recording her seventh shutout of the season in a 2-0 win over Chattanooga. Hull’s seven shutouts this season are tied for the NCAA lead in the category.Furman (7-1-2, 1-0-1), who currently on a nine-match unbeaten streak, plays at Western Carolina on Friday. Samford (4-2-4, 1-0-1) travels to Wofford on Friday.Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Taylor Mentzer (UNCG), EG Dillard (Chattanooga), Sam De Luca (Samford), and Abbie Wise (Western Carolina) Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Lindsay Bell (Mercer) and Reese Wilson (Chattanooga) 2025 SoCon Women’s Soccer Offensive Players of the Week Aug. 19             Reagan Fitzgerald, Jr., F, ETSU Aug. 26             Paige Thomas, So., F, Chattanooga Sept. 2             Gabriela Vatrano, So., MF, Western Carolina Sept. 9             Morganne Eikelbarner, Sr., F, Mercer Sept. 16            Reagan Fitzgerald, Jr., F, ETSU Sept. 23            Norah Roller, Jr., F, Furman  2025 SoCon Women’s Soccer Defensive Players of the Week Aug. 19             Caroline Ekern, Sr., GK, Chattanooga Aug. 26             Reese DeJong, So., GK, Furman Sept. 2             Caroline Ekern, Sr., GK, Chattanooga Sept. 9             Peyton Hull, R-So., GK, Samford  Sept. 16            Peyton Hull, R-So., GK, Samford  Sept. 23            Peyton Hull, R-So., GK, Samford  </div>

9.23 WSOC POTW SoCon.jpg

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – ETSU forward Reagan Fitzgerald and Samford goalkeeper Peyton Hull have been named the Southern Conference women’s soccer offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively, for all competition from Sept. 9-15.Fitzgerald, who also received the honor on Aug. 19, scored two goals in ETSU’s 4-2 win over Radford on Sept. 11. The junior from Oviedo, Florida, scored the game’s first goal in the 53rd minute, and got her second score in the 60th minute, making the score 3-1 in favor of the Bucs. Fitzgerald currently leads in the country in game-winning goals with five.Hull, who won the honor for the second consecutive week, posted a pair of shutouts while playing all 180 minutes inside the net for Samford last week. The redshirt sophomore had three saves in a scoreless draw at Belmont on Sept. 11. Three days later, the product of South Bend, Indiana, logged six saves at UAB. Hull, who has recorded a shutout in the last five matches for the Bulldogs, leads the NCAA in shutouts with six.ETSU (5-2-2) begins its conference slate of games at The Citadel on Thursday, before hosting UNCG on Sunday. Samford (3-2-3) welcomes Western Carolina on Thursday, and Chattanooga on Sunday.Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Maddie Massie (Furman), Sydney Farr (Mercer), Paige Thomas (Chattanooga), Sofia Goclowski (Western Carolina), and Julia Grier (Wofford) Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Reese DeJong (Furman), Reese Wilson (Chattanooga), Leanne Trudel (Western Carolina), and Elizabeth Navola (Wofford) 2025 SoCon Women’s Soccer Offensive Players of the Week Aug. 19             Reagan Fitzgerald, Jr., F, ETSU Aug. 26             Paige Thomas, So., F, Chattanooga Sept. 2             Gabriela Vatrano, So., MF, Western Carolina Sept. 9             Morganne Eikelbarner, Sr., F, Mercer Sept. 16            Reagan Fitzgerald, Jr., F, ETSU  2025 SoCon Women’s Soccer Defensive Players of the Week Aug. 19             Caroline Ekern, Sr., GK, Chattanooga Aug. 26             Reese DeJong, So., GK, Furman Sept. 2             Caroline Ekern, Sr., GK, Chattanooga Sept. 9             Peyton Hull, R-So., GK, Samford  Sept. 16            Peyton Hull, R-So., GK, Samford </div>

9.16_WSOC_POTW_SoCon.png

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Mercer forward Morganne Eikelbarner and Samford goalkeeper Peyton Hull have been named the Southern Conference women’s soccer offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively, for all competition from Sept. 2-8.Eikelbarner started in both matches for Mercer last week as the Bears were victorious in each contest. The native of Plano, Texas, logged the first goal of the match in the Bears’ 3-2 triumph over Sept. 4. Three days later, the senior, who spent the previous three seasons at Oklahoma, recorded her first career hat trick as Mercer defeated Gardner-Webb, 5-0, on Senior Day.Hull posted a pair of shutouts while playing all 180 minutes inside the net for Samford last week. On Sept. 4, the redshirt sophomore saved seven shots during a 3-0 win at Georgia State. In the team’s 2-0 win over Western Kentucky on Sept. 7, the product of South Bend, Indiana, had one save. Hull now has four shutouts this season, which is tied for the SoCon lead in the category.Mercer (4-2) hosts Winthrop on Thursday and Jacksonville State on Sunday. Samford (3-2-1) plays at Belmont on Thursday and at UAB on Sunday.Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Alice Williamson (The Citadel), Reagan Fitzgerald (ETSU), Bri Pinasco (Furman), Sam De Luca (Samford), Caroline Richvalsky (Chattanooga), Ava Robitaille (Western Carolina), and Julia Grier (Wofford)Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Ella Parker (ETSU), Abbey Marak (Chattanooga), and Mary Mueth (Western Carolina)2025 SoCon Women’s Soccer Offensive Players of the Week Aug. 19             Reagan Fitzgerald, Jr., F, ETSU Aug. 26             Paige Thomas, So., F, Chattanooga Sept. 2             Gabriela Vatrano, So., MF, Western Carolina Sept. 9             Morganne Eikelbarner, Sr., F, Mercer 2025 SoCon Women’s Soccer Defensive Players of the Week Aug. 19             Caroline Ekern, Sr., GK, Chattanooga Aug. 26             Reese DeJong, So., GK, Furman Sept. 2             Caroline Ekern, Sr., GK, Chattanooga Sept. 9             Peyton Hull, R-So., GK, Samford  </div>

9.9_WSOC_POTW_WEB.jpg

SoCon women’s soccer players of the week announced 9/9/25

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Western Carolina midfielder Gabriela Vatrano and Chattanooga goalkeeper Caroline Ekern have been named the Southern Conference women’s soccer offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively, for all competition from Aug. 26-Sept. 1.Vatrano came off the bench in both of Western Carolina’s games last week against North Carolina State and Tennessee. On Aug. 27, the sophomore had a goal and an assist in the team’s 3-2 victory at NC State. The native of Denver, North Carolina, scored her goal in the 40th minute, tying the game at 1-1, and got her assist on the game-winning goal in the 86th minute on a score by teammate Sofia Goclowski. The win for Western Carolina marked the first victory for the program over a Power Four team in two seasons and was the first win against an ACC opponent since 2015.Ekern, who also won the honor on Aug. 19, earned her third shutout of the season at Austin Peay on Aug. 28, which was a 1-0 win for the Mocs. The senior from Knoxville, Tennessee, had two saves in the contest, bringing her season total to 15. Ekern recorded the 17th shutout of her career versus Austin Peay, moving her into sole possession on the Mocs’ all-time list in the category.Western Carolina (2-3-1) plays at Longwood on Thursday, and at Winthrop on Sunday. Chattanooga (4-1) travels to Tennessee Tech on Thursday, before hosting North Alabama on Sunday.Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Maddie Massie (Furman), Payton Nutzman (Mercer), Brooklyn Miller (Samford), Nicole Solete (Chattanooga) and Julia Grier (Wofford)Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Reese DeJong (Furman), Peyton Hull (Samford) and Mary Liese Grier (Wofford) 2025 SoCon Women’s Soccer Offensive Players of the Week Aug. 19             Reagan Fitzgerald, Jr., F, ETSU Aug. 26             Paige Thomas, So., F, Chattanooga Sept. 2             Gabriela Vatrano, So., MF, Western Carolina 2025 SoCon Women’s Soccer Defensive Players of the Week Aug. 19             Caroline Ekern, Sr., GK, Chattanooga Aug. 26             Reese DeJong, So., GK, Furman Sept. 2             Caroline Ekern, Sr., GK, Chattanooga</div>

9.2_WSOC_WEB.jpg

SoCon women’s soccer players of the week announced 9/2/25

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Chattanooga forward Paige Thomas and Furman goalkeeper Reese DeJong have been named the Southern Conference women’s soccer offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively, for all competition from Aug. 19-25.Thomas came off the bench in both of Chattanooga’s games last week, playing a total of 77 minutes and scoring three goals. In a 5-3 win over Indiana State on Aug. 21, the sophomore scored a goal in the 35th and 41st minute, with the second score serving as the game-winning goal. Three days later, the native of Green Brook, New Jersey, got a goal in the 39th minute of the team’s 2-0 win against Morehead State. Thomas leads currently the SoCon in goals this season with four.DeJong started both games for Furman as the Paladins picked up a pair of wins. The Huntersville, North Carolina, product saw 45 minutes inside the goal during a 5-0 win over Bob Jones on Aug. 22. The sophomore played the entire match against Charleston Southern on Aug. 24, finishing with three saves in the 2-0 win for Furman. DeJong is tied for second in the conference in saves with 16.Chattanooga (3-1) plays at Austin Peay on Thursday. Furman (3-1) travels to Presbyterian on Thursday.Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Emma Sexton (Furman) and Taliyah Headman (VMI)Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Lindsay Bell (Mercer), Reese Wilson (Chattanooga) and Elizabeth Navola (Wofford) 2025 SoCon Women’s Soccer Offensive Players of the Week Aug. 19             Reagan Fitzgerald, Jr., F, ETSU Aug. 26             Paige Thomas, So., F, Chattanooga 2025 SoCon Women’s Soccer Defensive Players of the Week Aug. 19             Caroline Ekern, Sr., GK, Chattanooga Aug. 26             Reese DeJong, So., GK, Furman </div>

8.26_WSOC_WEB.jpg

SoCon women’s soccer players of the week announced 8/26/25

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – ETSU forward Reagan Fitzgerald and Chattanooga goalkeeper Caroline Ekern have been named the Southern Conference women’s soccer offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively, for all competition from Aug. 14-18.Fitzgerald started both games for ETSU last week as the Buccaneers went 1-0-1. She logged 77 minutes in a 1-0 win over North Alabama on Aug. 14, scoring the game’s lone goal in the 20th minute. Three days later, the junior from Oviedo, Florida, native scored a goal in the 87th minute against UAB, tying the score at 1-1.Ekern played all 180 minutes inside the net for Chattanooga last week. The Mocs won their season opener versus Winthrop, 4-0, on Aug. 14, before falling to Alabama, 1-0, on Aug. 17. In the contest with Winthrop, the product of Knoxville, Tennessee, recorded her 15th career shutout, tying her for second place all-time in program history in the category. Against Alabama, the senior finished the game with a career-high nine saves. Ekern completed the week with a .909 save percentage.ETSU (1-0-1) travels to Kentucky on Thursday, and Eastern Kentucky on Sunday. Chattanooga (1-1) hosts Indiana State on Thursday, and Morehead State on Sunday.Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Ava Kiss (UNCG), Sam De Luca (Samford), Caroline Richvalsky (Chattanooga) and Sofia Goclowski (Western Carolina)Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Reese DeJong (Furman), Peyton Hull (Samford), Leanne Trudel (Western Carolina) and Bailey Mullen (Wofford) 2025 SoCon Women’s Soccer Offensive Players of the Week Aug. 19             Reagan Fitzgerald, Jr., F, ETSU 2025 SoCon Women’s Soccer Defensive Players of the Week Aug. 19             Caroline Ekern, Sr., GK, Chattanooga </div>

WSOC POTW 8.19.jpg

SoCon women’s soccer players of the week announced 8/19/25

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Defending Southern Conference regular-season champion Western Carolina is the preseason favorite to win the 2025 Southern Conference women's soccer title in voting of the league's 10 head coaches.The coaches also selected an 11-member preseason all-conference team. Western Carolina picked up a league-best six selections. Mercer placed two on the team, while UNCG, Samford, and Chattanooga had one apiece.Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams or players in the balloting.Western Carolina, which garnered nine first-place votes, finished with 81 points. Samford, the defending SoCon Tournament champion, was second with 72 points and the final first-place vote. Furman was picked third with 58 points, while Mercer was fourth with 51 points. Chattanooga was selected fifth with 48 points, and UNCG was behind them with 45 points. ETSU had 43 points and Wofford finished with 25 points, placing seventh and eighth, respectively. The Citadel had 16 points to finish ninth, and VMI rounded out the poll with 11 points.Western Carolina was 15-3-3 overall last season and went 8-0-1 in conference play en route to its second straight regular-season crown. Four of the Catamounts' six preseason all-conference selections were first-team All-SoCon performers in 2024. Those players are forwards Isabella DeMarco and Milla Syska, midfielder Ava Robitaille, who was the SoCon Defensive Player of the Year last season, and goalkeeper Leanne Trudel. The other two preseason picks for Western Carolina are defenders Mary Mueth and Abbie Wise, two members of last year's SoCon All-Tournament Team.Syska (26) and DeMarco (25) were ranked second and third, respectively, in points last season. Both played in all 21 games with 20 starts during 2024. Robitaille, Trudel, Mueth, and Wise all saw action in every contest last season, helping anchor a Catamount defense that surrendered just 10 goals during the entire season.Samford completed the 2024 season with a 12-7-3 overall record and a 6-1-2 mark in conference games. The Bulldogs fell to Florida State in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament following their conference tournament title. Midfielder Fleming Dean represents the Bulldogs on the preseason all-conference team.Mercer put forward Jada Moorman and defender Lena Dykes on the preseason all-conference team. UNCG midfielder Rachel Poplin and Chattanooga's Brenna Swiger round out the preseason squad. Moorman, Dykes, Poplin, and Swiger were all second-team all-conference selections a season ago.All 10 squads open the 2025 regular season on Thursday, Aug. 14.The SoCon Women's Soccer Championship will feature all 10 schools. The first round will feature two matchups, No. 7 vs. No. 10 and No. 8 vs. No. 9, and will take place at the higher seeds on Oct. 28. The quarterfinals and semifinals, hosted by the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds, will take place on Oct. 31 or Nov. 2, respectively. The highest remaining seed will host The SoCon Championship on Nov. 8 or Nov. 9.  2025 Women’s Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll 1. Western Carolina (9) 812. Samford (1)               723. Furman                     584. Mercer                      515. Chattanooga             486. UNCG                       457. ETSU                       438. Wofford                    259. The Citadel               1610. VMI                        11() denotes first-place votes 2025 Women’s Soccer Preseason All-Conference Team F          Jada Moorman, MercerF          Isabella DeMarco, Western CarolinaF          Milla Syska, Western CarolinaMF       Rachel Poplin, UNCGMF       Fleming Dean, SamfordMF       Ava Robitaille, Western CarolinaD          Lena Dykes, MercerD          Brenna Swiger, ChattanoogaD          Mary Mueth, Western CarolinaD          Abbie Wise, Western Carolina       GK       Leanne Trudel, Western Carolina</div>

SoCon Women’s Soccer News

Headlines

Edit