SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Furman junior forward Valentina Mosquera and Western Carolina goalkeeper Leanne Trudel have been named the Southern Conference women’s soccer offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively, for all competition from Aug. 17-21.
Mosquera played in both games, starting one, for Furman last week as the Paladins went 2-0. She logged the game’s only goal off the bench in the 56th minute on Aug. 17, in a 1-0 win at Presbyterian. Three days later, the native of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, scored a goal in the fifth minute of the game as Furman defeated Georgia Southern, 2-1, in the team’s home opener. The Paladins were the only SoCon squad to begin their season with two wins on the opening weekend of the season.
Trudel played all 180 minutes inside the net for Western Carolina as the Catamounts went 1-0-1 last week. Western Carolina won its season opener at UNC Asheville, 1-0, on Aug. 17, before playing to a 0-0 tie against Queens in the squad’s home opener on Aug. 20. Trudel faced nine shots versus UNC Asheville, picking up four saves, and grabbed two more saves in the matchup with Queens. The Longueuil, Quebec, native is the first Catamount to receive the honor since Melody Mezzina won the award on Feb. 23, 2021.
Furman (2-0) hosts North Greenville on Thursday, Aug. 24, before traveling to USC Upstate on Sunday, Aug. 27. Western Carolina (1-0-1) plays two road games this week as the Catamounts face Winthrop on Wednesday, Aug. 23, and UT Martin on Sunday, Aug 27.
Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Ariana Paez (The Citadel), Molly Cason (ETSU), Kendall Cook (Mercer), Ava Kiss (UNCG), Whitaker Buchanan (Samford), Birna Johannsdottir (Chattanooga) and Isabella Demarco (Western Carolina)
Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Nora Sampson (The Citadel), Ashton Blair (ETSU), Addison Corn (Furman), Lindsay Bell (Mercer), Emma Malone (UNCG), Zoe Clevely (Samford), Caroline Ekern (Chattanooga) and Meara Kelly (Wofford)
2023 SoCon Women’s Soccer Offensive Players of the Week
Aug. 22 Valentina Mosquera, Jr., F, Furman
2023 SoCon Women’s Soccer Defensive Players of the Week
Aug. 22 Leanne Trudel, So., GK, Western Carolina