FRISCO, Texas — Southeastern's Alex Knight, McNeese's Alex Arvanitis and Nicholls' Aislinn Wright have earned the season's inaugural Southland Women's Soccer Player of the Week awards, the conference office announced Tuesday. 

Offensive Player of the Week: Alex Knight, Southeastern – So. – F – Shreveport, La. (Captain Shreve High School)
Knight fueled Southeastern's 5-1 victory over in-state foe Louisiana Tech on the road, its first of the 2026 season. Knight had an impressive performance, becoming the first Lion since 2018 to record a hat trick in a single match. This marked the first multi-goal game of her career, all of which came in the first 60 minutes of the match. 

Defensive Player of the Week: Alex Arvanitis, McNeese – So. – D – Brampton, Ont., Canada (Cardinal Ambrozic High School)
Arvanitis helped the Cowgirls open the season with a perfect 2-0 record, earning wins over Alcorn State and Southern Miss with the latter marking the Cowgirls’ first-ever win over the Golden Eagles. Arvanitis played all 180 minutes on the week, anchoring the Cowgirls’ back line in both matches. She played a key role in McNeese’s defensive effort against Southern Miss, helping the Cowgirls secure their first shutout of the season.
Honorable mention: Kaylie Harris, Nicholls

Goalkeeper of the Week: Aislinn Wright, Nicholls – Sr. – GK – Front Royal, Va. (Kettle Run High School) 
Wright started the season strong, registering 10 saves in a 2-2 draw against Louisiana Tech. She followed that performance with a clean sheet in the Colonels' 11-0 victory on Saturday at Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Her 11 saves in the opening week are tied for the most in the SLC.

2026 Southland Women's Soccer Players of the Week

Date	Offensive	Defensive	Goalkeeper
Aug. 18	Alexandra Knight, Southeastern	Alex Arvanitis, McNeese	Aislinn Wright, Nicholls