IRVING, Texas – The American Conference has announced the weekly women’s soccer honors for the fifth week of the 2026 season.
Offensive Player of the Week
Sloane Popov, Fr., F, Rice
Popov scored two goals to lead Rice to a 3-0 nonconference win over ULM. Goals in the 46th and 62nd minutes contributed to the first multi-goal game of Popov’s collegiate career. Popov has scored four total goals over the last three Rice matches.
Defensive Player of the Week
Ally Casey, Jr., D, Memphis
Memphis limited Kansas City to just three total shots, with none on goal, in a 1-0 shutout win that saw Casey play all 90 minutes on the back line for the Tigers. Casey was also credited with an assist on the match-winning goal in the 77th minute.
Midfielder of the Week
Leah Varela, R-So., UTSA
Varela was involved in all three UTSA goals in a 3-1 victory against UIW. Varela assisted on the opening goal in the 18th minute and on the closing goal in the 80th minute, scoring the match-winner for the Roadrunners in the 41st minute.
Goalkeeper of the Week
Kirsten Ruf, Sr., Rice
Ruf was credited with two saves in a 3-0 clean sheet against ULM. Ruf picked up the second shutout for the Owls this season, moving up to third in the conference in shutouts per match and fourth in goals against average (1.12) this season.
Freshman of the Week
Sloane Popov, F, Rice
Popov scored two goals to lead Rice to a 3-0 nonconference win over ULM. Goals in the 46th and 62nd minutes contributed to the first multi-goal game of Popov’s collegiate career. Popov has scored four total goals over the last three Rice matches.
Honorable Mention
Lily Ridge, So., M/F, East Carolina
Ridge provided the primary assist on the opening ECU goal in the 31st minute and scored unassisted in the 51st minute of a 2-2 draw against VCU.
Evelyn Mackay, Jr., F, Memphis
Mackay switched positions to striker for Memphis against Kansas City and logged a team-high five shots on goal over 79 minutes, finding the match-winner in the 77th minute of a 1-0 shutout win.
Claire Niedermeier, Jr., F, North Texas
Niedermeier added three goals for North Texas in a 2-0 week, scoring twice against Nelson before finding the match-winner on a penalty kick in the 20th minute of 1-0 shutout of DePaul.
Sofia Peters, So., D, UTSA
Peters scored the opening UTSA goal in the 18th minute and capped the scoring for the Roadrunners in the 80th minute of a 3-1 victory over UIW.
Katelyn Reville, Fr., F, Temple
Reville scored goals in the 16th and 24th minute for a first career brace to help Temple secure a 6-0 victory over Delaware State.