SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Mercer midfielder Payton Nutzman and Samford goalkeeper Peyton Hull have been named the Southern Conference women’s soccer offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively, for all competition from Oct. 13-19.

Nutzman logged a brace in each of Mercer’s games last week as the Bears went 2-0. The native of Greenville, South Carolina, scored goals in the 18th and 67th minutes as Mercer got a 2-0 road win at Wofford on Oct. 15. Three days later, the sophomore recorded two goals and an assist in the Bears’ 4-1 win over VMI. Nutzman’s five points against the Keydets were her season high in a match.

Hull, who won the honor for the third time this season, played all 180 minutes inside the net last week for Samford. In a 1-0 win at Chattanooga on Oct. 15, the junior had five saves. On Oct. 18, the product of South Bend, Indiana, logged another three saves in a 2-0 win over Tennessee Tech. With the two shutouts last week, Hull now has eight on the season, which leads the league and is ranked 10th nationally.

Mercer travels to Western Carolina on Friday. Samford plays at The Citadel on Friday.

Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Greulich Merle (UNCG), Sam De Luca (Samford), and Gabriela Vatrano (Western Carolina)
 
Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Addison Yelton (ETSU), Reese DeJong (Furman), and Alexandra Grammenopoulos (Western Carolina)
 
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
Oct. 13             Jasiah Pack, Sr., F, The Citadel
Oct. 20             Payton Nutzman, So., MF, Mercer 
 
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 
Oct. 13             Laila McNamee, So., GK, Tennessee Tech
Oct. 20             Peyton Hull, Jr., GK, Samford