SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Chattanooga forward Paige Thomas and UNC Greensboro goalkeeper Blythe Clark have been named the Southern Conference women’s soccer offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively, for all competition from Sept. 29-Oct. 5.
Thomas led Chattanooga to a pair of SoCon wins last week. The junior recorded a brace for the Mocs in a 2-0 win at VMI on Oct. 1. Thomas scored goals in the 60th and 80th minutes in the contest. Three days later, the native of Green Brook, New Jersey, logged the first hat trick of her career in a 5-0 win over Western Carolina. Thomas netted goals in the fourth, ninth and 26th minutes, helping Chattanooga to a 4-0 halftime advantage. Following her big week, Thomas is now tied for first in the league in goals this season (8).
Clark played all 180 minutes inside the net as UNCG grabbed two home conference wins last week. On Oct.1, the freshman logged four saves in a 2-0 win against Tennessee Tech. In a 3-0 win over Mercer on Oct. 4, the product of Denver, North Carolina, recorded two saves, helping the Spartans to their first win over the Bears since 2019. Clark currently leads the SoCon in goalie minutes played (1080:00).
Chattanooga plays at Wofford on Friday. UNCG plays at Furman on Oct. 15
Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Alex Beck (ETSU) Jaleah Simmons (Furman), Merle Greulich (UNCG), Kayla Childs (Tennessee Tech), and Maya Lake (Wofford)
 
Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Ellie Herrmann (Furman), Caroline Smith (Samford), Addie Taylor (Chattanooga), Laila McNamee (Tennessee Tech), and Elizabeth Navola (Wofford)
 
2026 SoCon Women’s Soccer Offensive Players of the Week 
Aug. 18             Payton Nutzman, So., MF, Mercer 
Aug. 25             Olivia Bori, Sr., MF, Mercer 
Sept. 1             Samantha Grantham, Sr., M/F, The Citadel
Sept. 8             Olivia Bori, Sr., MF, Mercer 
Sept. 15            Annie Andrews, Jr., F, Wofford 
Sept. 22            Anne McBride, So., MF, Samford
Sept. 29            Bri Pinasco, Sr., MF, Furman
Oct. 6               Paige Thomas, Jr., F, Chattanooga
 
2026 SoCon Women’s Soccer Defensive Players of the Week 
Aug. 18             Peyton Hull, Jr., GK, Samford 
Aug. 25             Addison Yelton, R-Jr., GK, ETSU
Sept. 1             Zoe Santos, Sr., GK, The Citadel
Sept. 8             Reese DeJong, Jr., GK, Furman
Sept. 15            Layla Washington, Fr., D, Wofford 
Sept. 22            Ella Parker, Sr., D, ETSU 
Sept. 29            Peyton Hull, Jr., GK, Samford 
Oct. 6               Blythe Clark, Fr., GK, UNCG