The Colonial Athletic Association announced its weekly soccer honors for August 17, 2026, spotlighting standout performances that have shaped the early‑season narrative across the conference.
Caigan Leonard, a sophomore forward for UNCW, earned Offensive Player of the Week after a two‑game scoring streak that began with a goal in the opening minutes against Appalachian State and culminated with a 68th‑minute strike against Western Carolina, contributions that helped the Seahawks climb the league standings.
Northeastern’s senior goalkeeper Eliza Teplow was named Defensive Player of the Week after posting two clean sheets in the team’s first two victories, including a 13‑save effort against Boston University and four stops against Merrimack, a performance that marks the program’s strongest start since 2017.
Freshman midfielder Nicole Kleyner of Elon captured Rookie of the Week after scoring her first collegiate goal in a 4‑1 home win over VCU, a moment set up by a cross from Isa Murdock that she redirected into the net.
Ripple Effects Across the Conference
The accolades reflect a competitive opening for the three programs: UNCW’s early surge places it near the top of the CAA table, Northeastern extends its unbeaten streak to two matches for the first time in nearly a decade, and Elon celebrates a milestone in its rebuilding phase.
Looking Ahead
As conference play continues, Leonard will aim to sustain her offensive output, Teplow hopes to preserve her clean‑sheet record, and Kleyner seeks to translate her rookie spark into a larger role, each looking to influence their teams’ trajectories in the weeks to come.