Women's Soccer

SAA Women's Soccer Report - Oct. 6, 2025

CANTON, Ga.  – Hanks and Hill open conference play with 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:
Delaney Hanks | Oglethorpe | JR | St. Petersburg, FL – Oglethorpe junior Delaney Hanks tallied her seventh and eighth goals of the year on Sunday to lead the Stormy Petrels to their first SAA victory of the year. It was her third multigoal game of the year, and the midfielder currently ranks No. 2 in the conference for total scoring and leads the conference for goals per game. 
 
Defense:
Kate Hill | Berry | SO | Flowery Branch, GA– A sophomore goalkeeper from Flowery Branch, GA Hill was phenomenal for the Vikings as they earned two ties to start SAA competition. In the first game against Southwestern Hill came up with three big stops to shutout the Pirates in a 0-0 draw. Then in game two she came up huge with six saves including one late in the game where she was able to just punch the ball over the bar at full stretch to deny Trinity a late winner as the game ended 0-0. Hill also commanded her box delivering several big punches on corner kicks to deny the Tigers some great scoring opportunities. Hill leads the SAA with a .913 save pct and is second allowing just .475 GAA average.

Notable Performances:
Offense
  • Maddie Carter | Rhodes | SO | Cordova, TN – Maddie Carter delivered the difference-maker this weekend, scoring the game-winning goal just 2:07 into the 1–0 victory over Centre to secure a crucial SAA win for the Lynx. Carter was an offensive catalyst throughout both matches, totaling four shots across the weekend and consistently challenging opposing back lines with her movement, pace, and confidence on the ball. Against Sewanee, she generated multiple dangerous chances that forced the Tigers’ defense to adjust, while her early strike versus Centre gave Rhodes the momentum they needed to control the match from start to finish. Her ability to create quality scoring opportunities and set the tone early in each contest was instrumental in Rhodes extending its unbeaten streak and maintaining strong positioning in conference play.
  • Fiamma del Balzo | Sewanee | FR | Johns Creek, GA – del Balzo collected two goals in the second half in Sunday's win at Millsaps. The freshman scored in the 80th and 89th minutes for her first two goals of the season.
  • Alex Doran | Trinity | SO | Boerne, TX – Doran led Trinity to a win and a draw to open SAA play over the weekend, defeating Oglethorpe University (GA) 3-0 and tying Berry College (GA) 0-0 in Georgia. Doran scored twice in Friday's win over the Stormy Petrels, including the eventual game-winner in the first half of play. 

Defense
  • Olivia Barfield | Rhodes | SR | Atlanta, GA– Senior goalkeeper Olivia Barfield anchored the Lynx defense through 180 minutes of action, posting a 0.50 GAA with six total saves (two vs. Sewanee, four vs. Centre) and a shutout in the 1–0 win over Centre. Barfield faced 15 total shots and seven on goal across the weekend, commanding the back line and keeping Rhodes unbeaten in SAA play. Her standout moment came in the 89th minute vs. Centre, when she denied a penalty kick to preserve the clean sheet and secure the Lynx’s eighth win of the season, improving Rhodes to 8–1–2 overall and 1–0–1 in conference play.
  • Lacey Carder | Sewanee | SR | Marietta, GA– Carder led a backline that allowed no goals during the run of play versus SAA opponents Rhodes and Millsaps. She played a crucial role in maintaining and organizing Sewanee's defensive shape throughout the weekend. The Tigers have allowed just three goals in nine matches this season.
  • Lauren Powell | Southwestern | SR | Harlingen, TX – Powell led the Pirates to 0-0 draw on Friday, playing all 90 minutes as the leader on the back line. Powell was dominant with her tackles in the fifth clean sheet of the season for the Pirates. She also played 90 minutes in the match on Sunday, marking her 10th game of the season playing the entire match. 
  • Lauren Litlle | Trinity | SR | Houston, TX – Little led the Trinity University women's soccer team to a pair of shutouts on the road to open up SAA play this weekend, defeating Oglethorpe University (GA) 3-0, and playing to a scoreless tie against Berry College (GA). Little and the Tiger defense held Oglethorpe to just two shots on Friday night, as she played just over 74 minutes of the shutout win. On Sunday against Berry, she recorded a save on the only on-target shot she faced to preserve the shutout and ensure the tie game. 
 

2025 Women’s Soccer Report Archive (AOW)
Week One (Sept. 2) – Bri Werner/Isla 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
 
For more information on all things SAA, visit the websites of any of the participating schools, or go to the SAA's home on the internet at www.saa-sports.com. Be sure to stay up to date on all of your Southern Athletic Association news by following @SAA_Sports on Twitter (X) and @SAA_Sports on Instagram.