The Patriot League released its first weekly women's soccer awards for the 2026 season, recognizing the standout performances from opening weekend matches across the conference.
Loyola Maryland Leads the Honors
Loyola Maryland captured three of the five awards, underscoring the program's early dominance and setting a strong tone for the season.
Midfield Mastery
Reagan Mallia earned Midfielder of the Week after striking the game‑tying goal from a corner kick in the 55th minute of a 1‑1 draw against No. 10 Arkansas, a moment that highlighted her influence in midfield.
Defensive Anchor
Geneve Pouliot was named Defender of the Week, having logged all 180 minutes across two games, including the Arkansas draw, while anchoring a backline that allowed only two goals in her first two appearances.
Goalkeeping Excellence
Hannah Goetzer collected Goalkeeper of the Week for the third time in her career, making eight saves in the same 1‑1 tie with Arkansas and posting the highest‑ranked result in program history.
Attacking Firepower
Boston University’s Jaiden Schultz was crowned Forward of the Week after a second‑half brace in a 5‑1 victory over UAlbany, showcasing her scoring prowess and helping the team open the season with a convincing win.
Rookie Breakout
Ingrid Murphy of Bucknell secured Rookie of the Week after her first collegiate goal proved decisive in a 1‑0 win over Montana, marking a memorable debut for the newcomer.
The awards are selected by a panel of head coaches who recuse themselves from voting for their own student‑athletes, ensuring an impartial evaluation of performance.
As of August 17, a dozen Patriot League programs — including Loyola Maryland, Boston University, Bucknell, Navy, Holy Cross, Lafayette, American, Army West Point, Colgate and Lehigh — all opened the season with 0‑0 records, setting the stage for a competitive year.