SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Furman forward Isabella Gutierrez and Chattanooga goalkeeper Ashton Shields have been named the Southern Conference women’s soccer offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively, for all games from March 2-8. The players of the week are selected by the league office.
 
Gutierrez, a junior, assisted on Furman’s double-overtime game-winning score in the 106^th minute against Mercer on Friday night in the Paladins’ season opener before tallying the lone goal in a 1-0 victory over The Citadel on Sunday as the Paladins opened to 2020-21 season with back-to-back wins. The Statesboro, Ga., native flicked Ellie Laxer’s free kick into the path of Kyndal Anderson, who headed in the winning goal in Friday’s 2-1 triumph. On Sunday, Gutierrez scored on a left-footed strike in the seventh minute to lead Furman to a 1-0 win.
 
Shields played all 90 minutes in goal and recorded six saves as the Mocs played to a scoreless draw against Samford, the league’s preseason favorite. She recorded a shutout in her first solo match in the net this season. She made a late-game save, stretching to the top of the goal and pushing the ball over the top to keep a clean sheet.
 
After a pair of home games, Furman (2-0, 2-0 SoCon) plays at VMI (1-1-2, 0-1-1) on Friday, March 12, and at UNCG (1-2-1, 1-1-0)  on Sunday, March 14, while Chattanooga (1-0-1, 0-0-1) hosts ETSU (1-2-1, 1-0-1) and Western Carolina (2-3-0, 1-1-0) on the same dates.
 
Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Ally Fordham (Mercer) and Ashley Avelino (UNCG).

Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Kendall King (ETSU), Faith Hauberg (Furman), Jordyn Ebert (Mercer) and Aiyanah Tyler-Cooper (UNCG).  

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
 
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