SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Furman forward Nieva Gaither and Paladin goalkeeper Addison Corn have been named the Southern Conference women’s soccer offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively, for all games from March 16-22. The players of the week are selected by the league office.
 
Gaither played a role in all three of Furman’s goals on the week as Furman downed Chattanooga, 2-0, on Friday, and played to a 1-1 draw against preseason favorite Samford on Sunday. The freshman assisted on both goals in the win over the Mocs, passing the ball to teammate Kyndal Anderson for a score in the first half before assisting on Jasmine Greene’s breakaway goal in the second half. The native of Lilburn, Georgia, netted a goal in the 14^th minute of Sunday’s draw, curling a left-footed shot into the left-hand corner of the net to give the Paladins a 1-0 lead.
 
Corn, a freshman, allowed just one goal in 200 minutes in goal, good enough for a 0.45 goals against average, helping the Paladins remain unbeaten and in first place in the SoCon standings. On Friday against Chattanooga, the Marietta, Georgia, native recorded her first career shutout, adding two saves in the victory. In the draw against Samford, Corn finished with seven saves, including a leaping save in the second half that preserved the draw against the Bulldogs. She faced 34 shots on the week.
 
Up next, Furman (5-0-1, 5-0-1 SoCon) heads on the road to play at Western Carolina (3-5, 2-3) on Friday, March 26, and at ETSU (1-5-1, 1-3-1) on Sunday, March 28, before concluding the season at Wofford (2-3-1, 2-3-1) on April 2.
 
Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Suzuka Yosue (The Citadel), Kendall Cook (Mercer), Kaley Tucker (UNCG), Morgan Greene (Samford), Samantha Shaw (Chattanooga) and Amber Van Den Berg (Western Carolina).   

Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Jordyn Ebert (Mercer), Kaley Tucker (UNCG), Morgan McAslan (Samford), Abbey Saddler (Chattanooga) and Summit Dann (Western Carolina).  

2020-21 SoCon Women’s Soccer Offensive Players of the Week
Feb. 23       Kendall Cook, Fr., F/MF, Mercer
March 2       Chloe Arnold, Sr., F, Chattanooga
March 9       Isabella Gutierrez, Jr., F, Furman
March 16     Kendra Mueller, R-Fr., F, Chattanooga        
March 23     Nieva Gaither, Fr., F, Furman
 
2020-21 SoCon Women’s Soccer Defensive Players of the Week
Feb. 23       Melody Mezzina, So., GK, Western Carolina
March 2      Aiyanah Tyler-Cooper, Sr., GK, UNCG
March 9      Ashton Shields, Jr., GK, Chattanooga
March 16    Morgan McAslan, Jr., GK, Samford
March 23    Addison Corn, Fr., GK, Furman