SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Mercer forward/midfielder Kendall Cook and Western Carolina goalkeeper Melody Mezzina have been named the Southern Conference women’s soccer offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively, for all competition this spring.
 
Mercer has played three contests this spring, falling 2-1 at UAB on Feb. 7, cruising past Wesleyan, 13-0, on Feb. 11 and winning a close contest, 1-0, against Kennesaw State on Feb. 21. Cook had the game-winner in both wins and amassed four goals and an assist, good enough for nine points, in the span. In the rout of Wesleyan, the freshman netted a hat trick and assisted on another goal, finishing with seven points as the Bears won their first game of the spring. In the narrow win over Kennesaw State, the native of Alpharetta, Georgia, scored the lone goal of the match in the 54^th minute as the Bears hung on for the win.
 
Mezzina, a sophomore goalkeeper from Brampton, Ontario, Canada, amassed 11 saves, a shutout, and a 0.49 goals against average, allowing just one goal in two contests on the week. She began the week with five saves on eight shots faced as the Catamounts downed Charlotte, 1-0, in extra minutes on Feb. 17. Mezzina played the entire contest, 93 minutes and 35 seconds, in the win. She allowed one goal in a 1-0 setback to Davidson four days later but totaled six saves in the match.
 
Mercer (3-5-1) hosts Troy on Sunday, Feb. 28, in the Bears’ last nonconference match of the season, while Western Carolina (1-1) plays at Liberty on Sunday, Feb. 25, in the Catamounts’ nonconference finale.
 
Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Logan Dix (The Citadel), Taylor Yount (Samford) and Maryanne Kilgore (Western Carolina).

Also nominated for defensive player of the week: McKenna Falarski (The Citadel), Jordyn Ebert (Mercer) and Morgan McAslan (Samford).

2020-21 SoCon Women’s Soccer Offensive Players of the Week
Feb. 23       Kendall Cook, Fr., F/MF, Mercer
 
2020-21 SoCon Women’s Soccer Defensive Players of the Week
Feb. 23       Melody Mezzina, So., GK, Western Carolina