SPARTANBURG, S.C. – UNC Greensboro forward/midfielder Gabi Santora and Samford goalkeeper Morgan McAslan have been named the Southern Conference women’s soccer offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively, for all competition Sept. 17-23.

Santora played a crucial part in each of UNCG’s two wins on the week. The Spartans downed Elon, 4-3, on Sept. 19 and beat East Carolina 1-0 three days later. With the score tied at 1 against the Phoenix, Santora netted her first career goal on a free kick in the 42^nd minute. She drove the ball into the top right corner to put the Spartans in front 2-1. Tied at 3, the freshman scored the game winner in the 88^th minute. The native of Boca Raton, Florida, got two touches before delivering a strike into the top right corner from 40 yards out. In the 54^th minute against the Pirates, Santora lined up for a corner kick and delivered a ball to the back post, where teammate Kayla Campbell scored the eventual game winner to push UNCG’s win streak to three.

McAslan picks up her first career honor as she helped Samford to a shutout at DePaul. The freshman from Waterdown, Ontario, Canada, played all 110 minutes of the double-overtime draw. She faced 17 shots and tallied six saves. McAslan has two solo shutouts and one combined shutout on the young season.

Conference play begins this week as UNCG hosts The Citadel on Friday, Sept. 27, and Mercer on Sunday, Sept. 29.  Samford hosts Furman on Friday and Wofford on Sunday to kick off its conference slate.

Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Maria Contreras (The Citadel), Sarah Connolly (ETSU), Nicole Icen (Mercer), Faith Gober (Chattanooga) and Julia Winter (Western Carolina).

Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Kayla Campbell (UNCG), Ashton Shields (Chattanooga) and Melody Mezzina (Western Carolina).

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

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

-www.SoConSports.com-