SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Furman midfielder Stephanie DeVita has been named the Southern Conference women’s soccer player of the week for all competition from Aug. 21-23 after scoring all three of the Paladins’ goals in the season-opening weekend of play. The selection is made by the league office.

The weekly honor is the fifth of DeVita’s career and second straight, as she also took the final award of the 2014 season. Her five selections match the league record set by Georgia Southern’s Tara Chaisson from 1996-99.

DeVita, a two-time SoCon Player of the Year, opened her senior season with a pair of goals Friday against Oklahoma of the Big 12, putting Furman ahead 1-0 in the 49th minute and then scoring the game-winner in double overtime after the Sooners scored in the 89th minute to force extra time.

The Simpsonville, S.C., native added her third goal of the weekend Sunday against preseason Colonial Athletic Association favorite Northeastern, converting a second-half penalty kick in the 3-1 loss.

The three goals pushed DeVita’s career total to 53, giving her sole possession of third place in league history, just four out of second place and six behind all-time leader Chaisson’s total of 59. She also now has 125 career points, giving her sole possession of fourth in that category, nine points back of third place.

Furman returns to action Friday when it hosts North Greenville at Stone Stadium at 7 p.m.

Also nominated: Sarah Zadrazil (ETSU), Maggie Cropp (Mercer), Malcanisha Kelley (Samford), Katie Emig (Chattanooga) and Sayres McKenna (Western Carolina).

2015 SoCon Women’s Soccer Players of the Week
Aug. 25    Stephanie DeVita, Furman