PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Little East Conference (LEC) announced its women’s soccer weekly award winners for the week ending September 27, 2026. Plymouth State University’s Maggie MacDonald was named Offensive Player of the Week, while Rhode Island College’s Leah Saunders earned Defensive Player of the Week honors. Plymouth State’s Liv Desruisseaux was selected as Goalkeeper of the Week, and teammate Sam Nikou was named Rookie of the Week.

Offensive Player of the Week – Maggie MacDonald, Plymouth State

MacDonald helped lead Plymouth State to a 2-0 week with victories over Elms College and Vermont State University Castleton. The sophomore midfielder totaled two goals and four points while logging 147 minutes across the two contests. 

MacDonald provided both of her goals in the Panthers’ 4-1 victory over VTSU Castleton, scoring twice in the opening 18 minutes. She opened the scoring in the 14th minute after stealing a pass and firing a shot from 30 yards out over the goalkeeper. Just four minutes later, MacDonald struck again, one-timing a shot from the top of the six-yard box inside the right post. She finished the contest with seven shots, including five on goal, and her opening tally stood as the game-winner. 

Defensive Player of the Week – Leah Saunders, Rhode Island College

Saunders anchored the Rhode Island College back line over a pair of matches, playing all 180 minutes for the Anchorwomen. The senior defender played a key role against Brandeis University despite RIC being outshot 21-7, including a 12-3 margin in shots on goal, in a narrow 1-0 setback. 

Saunders followed with a strong defensive performance in Rhode Island College’s 1-0 Little East victory over Southern Maine. She helped the Anchorwomen limit the Huskies to eight total shots and did not allow a single shot on goal as RIC secured the shutout. 

Goalkeeper of the Week – Liv Desruisseaux, Plymouth State

Desruisseaux helped Plymouth State post a 2-0 record while surrendering just one goal over 180 minutes in net. The first-year goalkeeper totaled six saves while recording a 0.50 goals-against average and an .857 save percentage. 

The Dracut, Mass. native made three saves to record her first collegiate clean sheet in a 1-0 victory over Elms. Desruisseaux followed with three more saves as Plymouth State earned a 4-1 victory over VTSU Castleton. 

Rookie of the Week – Sam Nikou, Plymouth State

Nikou played every minute of Plymouth State’s 2-0 week, logging 180 minutes while helping anchor a Panthers defense that surrendered just 13 total shots and one goal. The first-year defender/midfielder helped Plymouth State open the week with a 1-0 shutout of Elms before closing the week with a 4-1 victory at VTSU Castleton. 

Playing at center back, Nikou helped control and organize a Plymouth State back line that allowed just one goal over the two matches as the Panthers remained unbeaten on the week.