SPARTANBURG, S.C. – ETSU midfielder Sinoxolo Cesane and Samford goalkeeper Zoe Clevely have been named the Southern Conference women’s soccer offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively, for all competition from Aug. 22-28.

Cesane started in both games last week for ETSU as the Buccaneers went 1-1. She played 66 minutes in the team’s 3-1 setback at 25th-ranked Tennessee on Aug. 24. Cesane scored the squad’s lone goal in the 49th minute of the contest to tie the score at 1-1 early in the second half. Three days later, the Cape Town, South Africa, native scored multiple goals for the first time in her Buccaneer career as ETSU defeated Gardner-Webb by a score of 3-0. Cesane scored goals in the 62nd and 90th minute of the match, both goals were assisted by Ruby Teixeira, to add insurance goals to the squad’s second win of the season. Cesane’s performance was the first time an ETSU player scored two goals in a game since Sept. 2021.

Clevely started both games inside the net for Samford as the Bulldogs picked up two dominant wins last week. Samford defeated Jacksonville State, 6-0, on Aug. 24, before winning against Big 12 foe Oklahoma, 4-0, on Aug. 27. Clevely played just under 60 minutes against Jacksonville State and recorded one save. In the game with Oklahoma, the native of Huntington Beach, California, played the entire 90 minutes, logging three saves versus the Sooners. Samford’s win over Oklahoma marked just the second time in school history that the Bulldogs defeated a Big 12 opponent.

ETSU (2-1-1) travels to Tennessee Tech on Thursday, Aug. 31. Samford (2-1-1) takes on two Power Five opponents this week as the team plays at Ole Miss on Thursday, Aug. 31, before returning home to host Alabama on Sunday, Sept. 3.

Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Samantha Grantham (The Citadel), Nieva Gaither (Furman), Jada Moorman (Mercer), Bailey Gourdine (UNCG), Kyla Reynolds (Samford), Birna Johannsdottir (Chattanooga), Sedona Dancu (VMI), Isabella Demarco (Western Carolina) and Megan Childress (Wofford)

Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Grace Duncan (The Citadel), Madi Hook (ETSU), Addison Corn (Furman), Lindsay Bell (Mercer), Mel Herrera (UNCG), Caroline Ekern (Chattanooga) and Addie Marlett (Wofford)

2023 SoCon Women’s Soccer Offensive Players of the Week 

Aug. 22             Valentina Mosquera, Jr., F, Furman 

Aug. 29             Sinoxolo Cesane, R-Jr., MF, ETSU 

2023 SoCon Women’s Soccer Defensive Players of the Week 

Aug. 22             Leanne Trudel, So., GK, Western Carolina

Aug. 29             Zoe Clevely, Gr., GK, Samford