Weekly Honors Spotlight Early Stars
The Big South Conference announced its weekly award recipients for the 2026 women's soccer season, highlighting standout performances from the opening weekend.
Maddie Smith of Presbyterian College earned co‑offensive player of the week honors after a debut that could not have been more impressive, finding the back of the net twice in a 3‑1 victory over Alabama State.
Her two goals marked the first time a Presbyterian freshman had scored multiple times in her inaugural collegiate match since 2007, underscoring the impact of the new roster.
Manuela Schreier from UNC Asheville shared the co‑offensive award after contributing crucial goals in two tightly contested draws, including a strike that pulled the Bulldogs within one against Wofford and the equaliser in a 3‑3 thriller against North Alabama with only three seconds left on the clock.
Sydney Stoner, also of Presbyterian, was recognized as the Defensive Player of the Week for her full‑match effort that limited Alabama State to a single shot attempt in the second half, preserving the 3‑1 lead.
Freshman Katy Verdery earned the Freshman of the Week distinction after opening her collegiate career with a goal, adding to the excitement surrounding the new class.
The early season accolades reflect a competitive landscape across the conference, with teams such as Gardner‑Webb, Radford and Winthrop already showing promise in their respective matchups.
Coaches and analysts alike predict that the momentum generated by these performances will shape the conference race, especially as the schedule progresses toward the mid‑season stretch.