SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Samford forward Sam De Luca and Tennessee Tech goalkeeper Laila McNamee have been named the Southern Conference women’s soccer offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively, for all competition from Oct. 27-Nov. 2.

De Luca contributed offensively in both of Samford’s shutout wins last week. The senior logged an assist in a 3-0 win over UNCG on Oct. 29. The native of Little Rock, Arkansas, scored a goal in the team’s 6-0 win at VMI on Nov. 1, helping secure the No. 1 seed for the Bulldogs in the upcoming SoCon Tournament. De Luca finished the regular season with four game-winning goals, which is tied for first in the league.

McNamee, who also won the honor on Oct. 13, logged her sixth shutout of the season in Tennessee Tech’s 1-0 win at Western Carolina on Oct. 29. The sophomore recorded two saves in the first 17 minutes of the contest, keeping the team ahead after the Golden Eagles scored early in the contest. The product of Germantown, Tennessee, had a total of five saves in the contest, helping Tennessee Tech to the No. 4 seed in the conference tournament.

Samford will face the winner of No. 8 The Citadel and No. 9 Western Carolina on Sunday at 1 p.m. CT in Birmingham, Alabama, in the quarterfinals of the SoCon Tournament. Tennessee Tech will take on No. 5 Chattanooga in the quarterfinals on Sunday at 7 p.m. CT.

Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Natalie Capannelli (ETSU)
 
Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Addison Yelton (ETSU), Ellie Herrmann (Furman), Anna Bachman (Mercer), and Caroline Smith (Samford)
 
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 
Oct. 27             Maddie Massie, Sr., MF, Furman 
Nov. 3              Sam De Luca, Sr., F, Samford
 
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 
Oct. 27             Reese DeJong, Jr., GK, Furman
Nov. 3              Laila McNamee, So., GK, Tennessee Tech