SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Furman forward Nieva Gaither and The Citadel goalkeeper Jess Newton have been named the Southern Conference women’s soccer offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively, for all competition from Oct. 12-18.
 
Gaither led Furman with six points on three goals in wins over VMI and UNCG. In a 3-2 win over VMI on Friday, Gaither finished with a career-high four points on two goals, also a career high. Both of the sophomore’s goals came in the second half as the Paladins scored three goals in the period to rally back from a 2-0 halftime deficit. Her first goal came in the 70^th minute as Jasmine Greene sent a cross into the 18-yard box, allowing Gaither to score on a header inside the left post from 11 yards out. Less than three minutes later, Gaither beat a VMI defender one-on-one and scored from the top of the 18-yard box, netting her fourth goal of the season. On Sunday, the native of Lilburn, Georgia, sealed Furman’s 2-0 win over the Spartans with a goal in the 56^th minute, extending the Paladins’ lead in the shutout.
 
Newton made a career-high 18 saves in The Citadel’s 1-1 double-overtime draw against Mercer on Friday. The Melbourne Beach, Florida, native stopped every shot she faced in game action, only allowing a goal on a penalty kick. Newton, a sophomore, registered three saves in the first overtime period and added two more in the second OT to preserve the draw and secure a point for the Bulldogs. The player of the week nod is the first for The Citadel since Nicole Nevermann on Oct. 22, 2013.  

Furman (8-5-1, 4-3 SoCon) concludes the regular season with contests at Mercer (5-4-5, 2-1-4) on Friday. Oct. 22, and The Citadel (9-5-1, 3-3-1) on Sunday, Oct. 24. The Citadel wraps up the regular season with a pair of home games, hosting Wofford (5-11, 3-4) on Friday before welcoming the Paladins on Sunday in the regular-season finale.
 
Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Alyssa Frazier (Samford), Makenzie Smith (Chattanooga), Valentine Pursey (Western Carolina) and Mia Bookhard (Wofford).

Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Addison Corn (Furman), Jordan Lynn (Mercer), Morgan McAslan (Samford), Abbey Saddler (Chattanooga), Natalie McNally (Western Carolina) and Maria Mon (Wofford).

2021 SoCon Women’s Soccer Offensive Players of the Week
Aug. 24       Hannah Farr, So., MF, Furman
Aug. 31       Riley Flanagan, Fr., F, VMI
Sept. 7        Alyssa Frazier, Sr., MF, Samford
Sept. 14      Kyra Ranvek, So., F, ETSU
Sept. 21      Naya Marcil, Fr., F/MF, Western Carolina
Sept. 28      Rachel Rasins, Jr., F, Wofford
Oct. 5         Valentine Pursey, Gr., F, Western Carolina
Oct. 12       Caroline Woods, So., MF, UNCG
Oct. 19       Nieva Gaither, So., F, Furman
 
2021 SoCon Women’s Soccer Defensive Players of the Week
Aug. 24       Aiyanah Tyler-Cooper, Sr., GK, UNCG
Aug. 31       Sydney Somogyi, Fr., D, ETSU
Sept. 7       Morgan McAslan, Sr., GK, Samford
Sept. 14      Aiyanah Tyler-Cooper, Sr., GK, UNCG
Sept. 21      Shu Ohba, Fr., GK, ETSU
Sept. 28     Jordyn Ebert, Gr., GK, Mercer
Oct. 5         Morgan McAslan, Sr., GK, Samford
Oct. 12       Shu Ohba, Fr., GK, ETSU
Oct. 19       Jess Newton, So., GK, The Citadel