CANTON, Ga. – After week seven of action, Giselle Aitken (Berry) and Ilsa Newland (Trinity) take athlete of the week honors.
Around the SAA:
SAA Women’s Soccer Schedule/Results
SAA Women’s Soccer Standings
SAA Women’s Soccer Stats
2025 SAA Women’s Soccer Tournament
Athletes of the Week:
Offense:
Giselle Aitken | Berry | SO | Marietta, GA – A sophomore Aitken helped lead the Vikings offense with two goals and one assist in a 5-1 victory over Millsaps. Aitken leads the team with six goals and two assists.
Defense:
Ilsa Newland | Trinity | SR | St. Louis, MO– Newland led the Trinity University women's soccer team to a 2-0 shutout win over Centre College on Saturday. Newland and Trinity's defense limited the Colonels to just eight total shots in the game and handed Centre its second SAA loss of the season. She also netted the eventual game-winning goal in the 40th minute, giving the Tigers a lead at the half. Newland has scored four goals this season and Saturday marked her second game-winner of the year.
Notable Performances:
Offense
- Grace Culver | Rhodes | SR | Eldersburg, MD – Grace Culver played a crucial role in Rhodes’ 2–1 conference victory over Oglethorpe, sparking the Lynx attack early and driving momentum throughout. Culver opened the scoring in the 6th minute, capitalizing on a composed finish inside the box to give Rhodes an early lead. She continued to create dangerous chances, recording three shots and one on goal, while connecting play between the midfield and front line with poise and precision. Her high work rate and vision were instrumental in generating seven corner opportunities for the Lynx and maintaining offensive pressure across both halves, helping Rhodes remain unbeaten in SAA play (2–0–1).
- Kylene Monaghan | Sewanee | SR | Blacksburg, VA – Monaghan posted a goal and an assist in Saturday's 2-1 win at Southwestern. She assisted on a Susie Whitsett goal in the first half and hit the post with a shot in the opening 45 minutes. She then netted the game-winner in the 66th minute, hitting a left-footed shot from the top of the box that sailed just under the crossbar and into the net. She has four goals and five assists this season..
- Bri Werner | Trinity | SR | Woodbine, MD – Werner scored the only goal of the second half to push the Trinity University women's soccer team to a 2-0 SAA win over Centre College on Saturday afternoon. Werner doubled the Tiger lead in the 56th minute with what turned out to be the final score of the game. The score was her fourth of the season, which is tied for third on the team this year.
Defense
- Kate Hill | Berry | SO | Flowery Branch, GA– Hill faced 3 shots in the win over Millsaps, posting one save in the win.
- Blair Rice | Rhodes | SR | Pinehurst, NC– Senior Blair Rice delivered a standout defensive performance, using her speed and awareness to lock down her side of the field. She was relentless in 1v1 matchups, winning crucial battles and denying service into the box. Blair also contributed in transition, turning defense into offense with smart distribution and quick decision-making. Playing all 90 minutes, her work rate and consistency never wavered, making her an essential piece of the team’s defensive effort.
- Sonia Djurasovic | Sewanee | SO | Louisville, KY – Djurasovic led a backline that limited Southwestern to just five shots on goal. She posted a standout performance with her 1v1 defending and overall aggression for 85 minutes of the match. She also hit the crossbar with a shot midway through the second half in a one-goal match.
2025 Women’s Soccer Report Archive (AOW)
Week One (Sept. 2) – Bri Werner/Ilsa Newland
Week Two (Sept. 8) – Alex Doran/Kate Hill
Week Three (Sept. 15) – Alex Doran/Grace Culver
Week Four (Sept. 22) - Kylene Monaghan/Matti Penders
Week Five (Sept. 29) - Alex Doran/Kylie Harris
Week Six (Oct. 6) - Delaney Hanks/Kate Hill
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