The BIG EAST Conference’s weekly soccer awards turned the spotlight on a series of impressive performances across its member schools, highlighting both offensive firepower and defensive solidity.
Standout Performances Across the Conference
Avrie Nelsen of Villanova dominated the week with four goals and eight points, capped by a hat trick against Iona, earning her the Offensive Player of the Week award.
Meredith Palmer, also from Villanova, anchored a defense that limited Columbia and Iona to just three shots on goal combined, while scoring her first career goal in an 11‑0 victory over Iona, a performance that secured her Defensive Player of the Week honors.
In goal, Mia Hurd of Marquette posted back‑to‑back shutouts, helping the Golden Eagles remain unbeaten for six straight matches dating back to 2005 and earning Goalkeeper of the Week recognition.
Freshman Jocy Koffi from Providence contributed three goals and six points, including a pair in a 3‑3 draw with Rutgers, which led to her Freshman of the Week acknowledgment.
Olivia Sides of Creighton led the Bluejays to two shutouts over Kansas City and Missouri, restricting those opponents to just eight combined shots on goal, while Kileigh Gorman of Seton Hall found the net twice in a 5‑0 win at New Haven and Hannah Dickinson of Villanova made three saves in 135 minutes against Columbia, marking her second complete shutout of the season.
The weekly honor roll also recognized several other contributors, underscoring the depth of talent across the conference as teams continue to jockey for position in the early part of the season.