SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Samford forward Caroline Orman and Western Carolina defender Reily Nelson have been named the Southern Conference women’s soccer offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively, for all competition Oct. 15-21.
Orman netted a goal in each of Samford’s wins on the week and assisted on a third as the Bulldogs shut out UNC Greensboro, 2-0, and VMI, 5-0. Orman’s goal against the Spartans in the sixth minute, a header off a cross from Alyssa Frazier, proved to be the game winner. Against the Keydets, the native of Atlanta, Georgia, assisted on the first goal of the contest, sending a pass in to Taylor Yount in the seventh minute. She added her second goal of the week and first of the game in the 60th minute, pushing Samford’s lead to 5-0.
Nelson helped Western Carolina to wins over The Citadel and Mercer. The sophomore anchored a Catamount defense that didn’t allow The Citadel to take a shot in the first half and held the Bulldogs to just two shots in the second half. Nelson moved to center back against Mercer and kept the Bears’ offensive attack in check, holding Mercer to one goal despite 25 shots in the contest. The Catamounts have allowed just two goals in the last 360 minutes of play and have won three of the last four matches heading into the final weekend of the regular season.
The recognition is the first for both Orman, a preseason all-conference selection, and Nelson.
Samford wraps up regular-season conference play against Chattanooga on Sunday, Oct. 27, while Western Carolina plays at UNCG on Friday, Oct. 25, and closes out the regular season at VMI on Sunday.
Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Isabella Gutierrez (Furman), Cienna Rideout (UNCG), Chloe Arnold (Chattanooga) and Emily Threatt (Western Carolina).
Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Rafaella Guiliano (ETSU), Jordan Evens (Furman), Morgan McAslan (Samford) and Ashton Shields (Chattanooga).
2019 SoCon Women’s Soccer Offensive Players of the Week
Aug. 27 Caitlyn Reilly, Sr., MF, Furman
Sept. 3 Nicole Icen, Fr., F, Mercer
Sept. 10 Abigail Zoeller, Jr., F/MF, Mercer
Sept. 17 Taylor Yount, Fr., F, Samford
Sept. 24 Gabi Santora, Fr., F/MF, UNCG
Oct. 1 Sarah Connolly, Jr., F, ETSU
Oct. 8 Kyndal Anderson, R-Fr., F, Furman
Oct. 15 Amaya Evans, Fr., F, Mercer
Oct. 22 Caroline Orman, Jr., F, Samford
2019 SoCon Women’s Soccer Defensive Players of the Week
Aug. 27 Abbey Saddler, So., GK, Chattanooga
Sept. 3 Tess Mrozek, So., GK, ETSU
Sept. 10 Abbey Sadder, So., GK, Chattanooga
Sept. 17 Melody Mezzina, Fr., GK, Western Carolina
Sept. 24 Morgan McAslan, So., GK, Samford
Oct. 1 Kellsey Weaver, Sr., GK, Furman
Oct. 8 Arianna Milicia, Sr., D, Furman
Oct. 15 Jordyn Ebert, Jr., GK, Mercer
Oct. 22 Reily Nelson, So., D, Western Carolina
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