Photo by: Southern ConferenceDeVita scored three goals in Furman’s two games on the week, lifting her season total to a SoCon-best 13 on the season. The Simpsonville, S.C., native scored a crucial late goal in a 2-2 draw with league-leading Samford on Thursday and added two more in a 5-1 win over Chattanooga on Sunday.
Against the Bulldogs, DeVita hooked a 20-yard, left-footed effort past Samford’s keeper with 25 seconds left in regulation to complete the Paladins’ rally from a 2-0 deficit and send the match to extra time. Neither team could get the golden goal as Furman snapped Samford’s 12-match winning streak against SoCon opponents.
Against Chattanooga on Sunday, DeVita padded her league scoring lead with goals in the 54th and 73rd minutes to give the Paladins some breathing room.
DeVita’s 13 goals this season are tops in the nation amongst freshmen and third overall, while her five game-winners are also good for third nationally. Her 28 total points rank sixth in NCAA Division I. She leads the SoCon in all three categories.
The weekly award is the first of DeVita’s career.
Furman (9-2-1, 2-1-1 SoCon) returns to action on Friday when it hosts UNCG (6-6, 3-1 SoCon) in Greenville, S.C., at 7 p.m.
Also nominated: Megan Roberson (Appalachian State), Sarah Cardamone (College of Charleston), Mariana Garcia (The Citadel), Rachael Newmister (Davidson), Chelsey Stark (Elon), Sydnie Van Curen (Georgia Southern), Lauren Hein (UNCG), Brittany Hoffman (Samford), Lauren Thomas (Chattanooga) and Mary Beth Bleekrode (Wofford).
2012 SoCon Women’s Soccer Players of the Week
Aug. 21 Jamie Simmons, UNCG
Aug. 28 Chesney White, UNCG
Sept. 4 Katie Merson, Georgia Southern
Sept. 11 Kaley Blanton, Samford
Sept. 18 Julia Holz, Appalachian State
Sept. 25 Jennifer Lauer, Western Carolina
Oct. 2 Stephanie DeVita, Furman
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