SoCon women’s soccer players of the week announced

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Western Carolina midfielder Gabriela Vatrano and Chattanooga goalkeeper Caroline Ekern have been named the Southern Conference women’s soccer offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively, for all competition from Aug. 26-Sept. 1.

Vatrano came off the bench in both of Western Carolina’s games last week against North Carolina State and Tennessee. On Aug. 27, the sophomore had a goal and an assist in the team’s 3-2 victory at NC State. The native of Denver, North Carolina, scored her goal in the 40th minute, tying the game at 1-1, and got her assist on the game-winning goal in the 86th minute on a score by teammate Sofia Goclowski. The win for Western Carolina marked the first victory for the program over a Power Four team in two seasons and was the first win against an ACC opponent since 2015.

Ekern, who also won the honor on Aug. 19, earned her third shutout of the season at Austin Peay on Aug. 28, which was a 1-0 win for the Mocs. The senior from Knoxville, Tennessee, had two saves in the contest, bringing her season total to 15. Ekern recorded the 17th shutout of her career versus Austin Peay, moving her into sole possession on the Mocs’ all-time list in the category.

Western Carolina (2-3-1) plays at Longwood on Thursday, and at Winthrop on Sunday. Chattanooga (4-1) travels to Tennessee Tech on Thursday, before hosting North Alabama on Sunday.

Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Maddie Massie (Furman), Payton Nutzman (Mercer), Brooklyn Miller (Samford), Nicole Solete (Chattanooga) and Julia Grier (Wofford)

Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Reese DeJong (Furman), Peyton Hull (Samford) and Mary Liese Grier (Wofford)

2025 SoCon Women’s Soccer Offensive Players of the Week 

Aug. 19             Reagan Fitzgerald, Jr., F, ETSU 

Aug. 26             Paige Thomas, So., F, Chattanooga 

Sept. 2             Gabriela Vatrano, So., MF, Western Carolina 

2025 SoCon Women’s Soccer Defensive Players of the Week 

Aug. 19             Caroline Ekern, Sr., GK, Chattanooga 

Aug. 26             Reese DeJong, So., GK, Furman 

Sept. 2             Caroline Ekern, Sr., GK, Chattanooga