SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Chattanooga forward Caroline Richvalsky 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. 29- Sept. 4.

Richvalsky started both games for Chattanooga last week as the Mocs picked up two wins. She played 71 minutes in the squad’s 4-1 victory against Austin Peay on Aug. 31, scoring one goal and assisting on another. Richvalsky scored her goal in the 71st minute, which proved to be the game winner, making the score 2-1 in favor of Chattanooga. The sophomore’s assist came two minutes later when she found teammate Mackenzie Smith for a goal. Three days later, the Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, native played 80 minutes, recording her first career hat trick as the Mocs defeated Jacksonville State, 3-1, to grab their fourth straight win. With Chattanooga trailing by one goal, Richvalsky tied the score in the 41st minute with her first goal before scoring her second goal of the contest two minutes later to put the team ahead 2-1. The final goal came in the 65th minute off an assist from Smith to complete the hat trick. Richvalsky’s hat trick marked the first time a Chattanooga player has achieved the feat since 2017.

Clevely, who won the honor for the second straight week, played all 180 minutes inside the net for Samford as the Bulldogs posted two ties against SEC opponents. Samford tied Ole Miss, 0-0, on Aug. 31, before playing to a scoreless draw against 5th-ranked Alabama on Sept. 3. Clevely, a graduate student, had three saves in the game at Ole Miss, who the Bulldogs have tied in a match in each of the last three seasons. In the game against Alabama, the Huntington Beach, California, product had four saves. Clevely’s two shutouts over the weekend gave her four for the season, which leads the SoCon.

Chattanooga (4-1) travels to Middle Tennessee on Thursday, Sept. 7, before returning home to host Belmont on Sunday, Sept. 10. Samford (2-1-3) plays at Troy on Thursday, Sept. 7, and hosts Kennesaw State on Sunday, Sept. 10.

Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Grace Eatz (ETSU), Larkin Thomason (Mercer), Ava Kiss (UNCG) and Saachi Bureau (Wofford)

Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Madi Hook (ETSU), Lindsay Bell (Mercer), Emma Malone (UNCG), Caroline Ekern (Chattanooga) and Caroline Doss (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 

Sept. 5             Caroline Richvalsky, So., F, Chattanooga 

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

Sept. 5             Zoe Clevely, Gr., GK, Samford