SPARTANBURG, S.C. ? Jessica Smith of Furman has been named the Southern Conference Women’s Soccer Player of the Week for the week of September 23.  Smith picked up two wins in goal for the Paladins, including a 2-1 victory over Clemson.  She also posted a 1-0 overtime victory over USC Upstate.

Smith made eight saves over the two games last week and played over 181 minutes in net for the Paladins.  The Franklin, Tenn., native allowed just one goal for a 0.50 goals against average last week.  Smith led the Paladins (6-2-1) to their first victory over Clemson in the history of the program.  Against USC Upstate, the freshman goalkeeper made two leaping saves to punch the ball above the crossbar and preserve the win.  Smith leads the Southern Conference with a 0.40 goals against average and is fourth in the league in goals against average (.818).  She has two shutouts to her credit this year. 

Other top performers this week were Appalachian State’s Stephanie Balzano, College of Charleston’s Hope Atkinson, Elon’s Sydney Little, Georgia Southern’s Ashley Toussaint, Western Carolina’s Arlan Whittle and Wofford’s Maggie McLaughlin. 

SoCon Player of the Week

Sept. 2 ? Kyri Bye-Nagel (Davidson)

Sept. 9 ? Erin Smith (College of Charleston)

Sept. 16 ? Kelsey Kearney (UNC Greensboro)

Sept. 23 ? Jessica Smith (Furman)