news-engine

FRISCO, Texas — UTRGV's Isabella Burtini, Southeastern's Lainey Connell and HCU's Emmy McKeon have earned this week's Southland Women's Soccer Player of the Week awards, the conference office announced Tuesday. Offensive Player of the Week: Isabella Burtini, UTRGV – Jr. – F – Tsawwassen, British Columbia Burtini helped UTRGV to its first victory of the season with her performance at home against Prairie View A&M. Burtini scored two goals, one in the 26th minute and the other moments later in the 31st minute before adding an assist in the 55th minute. This marked a career high in goals and points in a game, culminating in a 4-0 Vaqueros win. Honorable mention: Katie Porter, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Defensive Player of the Week: Lainey Connell, Southeastern – Jr. – M – Mandeville, La., (St. Scholastica Academy) Connell helped the Lions earn consecutive shutouts and move their win streak to three games. The junior led Southeastern's back line, holding Troy scoreless and recording its first shutout victory over a Sun Belt opponent since 2018. Connell returned against Spring Hill, not allowing the Badgers to put a single shot on goal throughout the match. The Mandeville native has started in all four matches this season and ranks second on the team in minutes played (355), playing all 90 minutes in the contests last week. Honorable mention: Riley Wilson, Lamar Goalkeeper of the Week: Emmy McKeon, HCU – Jr. – GK – Kaysville, Utah, (Farmington High School) McKeon matched a career high with 10 saves with just one goal allowed, as HCU played Rice to a 1-1 tie. McKeon is tied for most saves by an SLC goalkeeper so far this season and leads the conference in saves per game. Honorable mention: Keely Thomas, Lamar 2026 Southland Women's Soccer Players of the Week | Date | Offensive | Defensive | Goalkeeper | | Aug. 18 | Alexandra Knight, Southeastern | Alex Arvanitis, McNeese | Aislinn Wright, Nicholls | | Aug. 25 | Isabella Burtini, UTRGV | Lainey Connell, Southeastern | Emmy McKeon, HCU |