SoCon women’s soccer players of the week announced

Western Carolina’s Syska and UNCG’s Malone honored

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Western Carolina forward Milla Syska and UNCG goalkeeper Emma Malone have been named the Southern Conference women’s soccer offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively, for all competition from Aug. 27-Sept. 2.

Syska started and played 56 minutes in Western Carolina’s 3-0 win at Georgia State on Sunday, scoring the first two goals of the contest for the Catamounts. The junior’s first goal came in the fourth minute of the game off a feed from Isabella DeMarco, which proved to be the game-winning goal. Syska, a native of Charlotte, North Carolina, scored her second goal of the match in the 27th minute. Syska is currently tied for second in the SoCon in goals this season (4).

Malone played all 180 minutes inside the net for UNCG as the Spartans went 1-1. In the team’s 1-0 setback versus 22nd-ranked Colorado on Aug. 29, the junior faced 10 shots and had three saves. Three days later, the Wallingford, Connecticut, product picked up her first shutout of the season as UNCG defeated Charlotte, 1-0, finishing the contest with six saves.

Western Carolina (2-2-1) hosts Gardner-Webb on Thursday, Sept. 5, before traveling to East Carolina on Sunday, Sept. 8. UNCG (1-2-1) plays at High Point on Thursday, Sept. 5, and welcomes Elon on Sunday, Sept. 8.

Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Ruby Teixeira (ETSU), Ashlyn Goila (Furman), Larkin Thomason (Mercer), Ava Kiss (UNCG), Brooklyn Miller (Samford), Caroline Richvalsky (Chattanooga) and Riley Boucher (VMI)

Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Ava King (Furman) and Caroline Ekern (Chattanooga)

2024 SoCon Women’s Soccer Offensive Players of the Week

Aug. 20 Kristen Hahn, Sr., F, Western Carolina

Aug. 27 Larkin Thomason, So., F, Mercer

Sept. 3 Milla Syska, Jr., F, Western Carolina

2024 SoCon Women’s Soccer Defensive Players of the Week

Aug. 20 Whitney Tracy, Sr., GK, VMI

Aug. 27 Lindsay Bell, R-Jr., GK, Mercer

Sept. 3 Emma Malone, Jr., GK, UNCG