SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Furman midfielder Caitlyn Reilly and Chattanooga goalkeeper Abbey Saddler have been named the Southern Conference women’s soccer offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively, for all competition Aug. 22-26.

Furman split a pair of contests at the CofC Under Armour Invitational over opening weekend, falling 2-1 to UNCW on Friday and downing College of Charleston 2-1 on Sunday. Playing in her hometown of Charleston, South Carolina, Reilly assisted on the Paladins’ lone goal in the setback against the Seahawks and netted both goals in the victory against the Cougars. She tied up the contest in the 44^th minute with a 23-yard shot into the side netting and netted the eventual game-winner in the 75^th minute off a cross from teammate Jasmine Greene. The senior preseason all-conference selection took Greene’s pass and scored from the top of the 6-yard box to put the Paladins in front. Reilly was named to the All-Tournament team for her performance over the weekend.

Saddler, a sophomore goalkeeper from Chattanooga, Tennessee, earned her first start in the Mocs’ second contest of the week, a 1-0 win at Eastern Kentucky on Sunday. The transfer from Arkansas played all 90 minutes in goal, collecting five saves and earning the first shutout of the season for the Mocs. After the Mocs scored early in the match, Saddler anchored the defensive front that kept the Colonels off the scoreboard and made two late saves to preserve the shutout.

Furman plays at Campbell on Thursday, Aug. 29, and hosts Elon on Sunday, Sept. 1, while Chattanooga plays at North Alabama on Friday, Aug. 30, and hosts Lipscomb on Sunday.

Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Logan Dix (The Citadel), Ciara Whitely (Mercer), Emily Szymanski (Chattanooga), Julia Winter (Western Carolina) and Katie Gilligan (Wofford).

Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Elena Pisani (ETSU), Summit Dann (Western Carolina) and Maria Mon (Wofford).

2019 SoCon Women’s Soccer Offensive Players of the Week

Aug. 27       Caitlyn Reilly, Sr., MF, Furman

2019 SoCon Women’s Soccer Defensive Players of the Week

Aug. 27       Abbey Saddler, So., GK, Chattanooga

-www.SoConSports.com-