KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Oct. 20, 2021) – United Soccer Coaches announced its College Player of the Week awards on Wednesday afternoon, with seven student-athletes representing NCAA Division I, II, III, and NJCAA men’s and women’s soccer. 

NCAA Division I Men: Luis Felipe Fernandez-Salvador (Clemson)

NCAA Division I Women: Audrey Harding (UNCW)

NCAA Division II Men: Thaylan Silva (Carson-Newman University) 

NCAA Division II Women: Greta DeLoach (Grand Valley State)

NCAA Division III Men: Chase Rider (Pitt-Bradford)

NCAA Division III Women: Erin Flynn (Washington University in St. Louis)

Junior College Men: Joshua Wong (Whatcom CC)

Junior College Women: Zero nominations received

This week, the DI women’s standout performer was UNCW forward, Audrey Harding. She led the Seahawks to a pair of road victories last week that vaulted UNCW to the top of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) standings. The Akron, Ohio, product recorded an assist and scored the game-winning goal as UNCW overcame a 2-0 deficit to beat Drexel in overtime, 3-2, on Thursday. She was also involved in all three goals during UNCW’s 3-1 victory over James Madison, registering an assist on the first two markers before netting her team-leading seventh goal of the year in the 28th minute. Harding has scored three goals with three assists in her last three games as UNCW stands 9-2-1 overall and 5-1-0 in the CAA.

No. 23 Clemson got a massive result against No. 9 Duke on the shoulders of senior midfielder, Luis Felipe Fernandez-Salvador. Luis Felipe scored the game-winning goal in an absolutely incredible overtime match at Duke. The Tigers took down the No. 9 Blue Devils in overtime after conceding an equalizer and having a man sent off in the final minute of regulation. 

In DII women’s action, the top-ranked Grand Valley State continued their run on the performance of Greta DeLoach. The junior forward from Michigan had a goal and assist Friday, followed by a hat-trick on Sunday in two thrilling wins to keep the undefeated Lakers atop the nation. She has now scored in four straight games and is second in DII in goals for the season with 15. She was named GLIAC offensive player of the week for the second consecutive week.

Carson-Newman’s season got an injection of Brazilian flare from senior midfielder, Thaylan Silva. The senior from Sao Paulo, Brazil, led the Eagles to a pair of SAC victories last week over Lincoln Memorial (4-0) and Newberry (3-1). He scored two goals in each game, including the eventual game-winner against Lincoln Memorial. For the week he had four goals for eight points.

In women’s DIII soccer, senior forward Erin Flynn led Washington University in St. Louis to a pair of wins against NYU and Brandeis. She scored all four goals in their two games to keep the Bears win streak alive and the program ranked at No. 3 in the nation.

On the men’s side, Chase Rider was unstoppable for the Pitt-Bradford Panthers this week as he was the focus of their attack in two 8-0 wins over Hilbert and Penn State-Altoona. Against Hilbert, Rider scored 3 goals and assisted on 3 more. Over the weekend, he scored his second consecutive hat trick with three goals/two assists against Penn-State Altoona, for a total of 17 points on the week.

In the NJCAA, Whatcom Community College midfielder, Joshua Wong, helped his team overcome Skagit CC with three points. Joshua leads the league in assists and currently has the record for Whatcom in the same category. He has scored or assisted in every game he has played in to date. There were no nominations in women’s NJCAA competition. 

Each Wednesday during the college regular season, United Soccer Coaches selects a men’s and women’s Player of the Week for NCAA Divisions I, II, and III and Junior College competition based on nominations from schools and conferences. Nominations are due every Tuesday by 10 a.m. CT to be considered.