The NESCAC has released its Players of the Week for the week of September 18. The conference recognizes student-athletes for each sport based on their contributions to their team each week. During the fall season, field hockey, men's soccer, women's soccer, and volleyball will be announced on Mondays, while cross country performers of the week will be announced on Tuesdays.
Field Hockey | Weekly Release & Honor Roll
Katrina Winfield - Trinity – Sr. – F – Wilmington, Del.
Winfield netted a goal in every game for the Bantams, including a pair of game-winning goals, and finished with seven points in a 3-0 week. Winfield delivered the game-winner in the 51st minute of a 2-1 win over WPI. In a 1-0 NESCAC win over Colby, Winfield potted the decisive goal and netted her third goal of the week while adding an assist in a 4-0 win over the University of New England.
Football | Weekly Release & Honor Roll
Offensive Player of the Week
Niko Candido – Wesleyan – Jr. - QB – Studio City, Calif.
After splitting duties under center last season, Candido took every snap at quarterback in a season-opening 28-17 win at Bates. The junior signal caller threw for 341 yards on 28-for-37 passing (75.7%) with three touchdowns. He became the first Wesleyan quarterback to throw for 300+ yards since Ashton Scott hit the mark against Trinity in 2019 and the 341 yards is the most for a Cardinal since Mark Piccirillo threw for 388 against Bates in 2017.
Defensive Player of the Week
Tomas Kenary - Middlebury – Sr. – DL – Chevy Chase, Md.
Kenary helped Middlebury hold Amherst scoreless for three quarters en route to a 21-7 season-opening victory. Kenary led all players with 4.5 sacks for a loss of 44 yards. The senior had a pair of sacks just outside of the red zone in the third and fourth quarters, each turning the Mammoths over on downs. The defensive lineman had seven tackles, including four solo, and an interception. Kenary's 4.5 sacks are the second most in school history, moving him into third on the career list (17.5), while also contributing to Middlebury setting a school record for most sacks in a game (9).
Special Teams Player of the Week
Brendan Sawyer – Colby – Jr. – RB – Weston, Conn.
Sawyer returned four kicks for 77 yards with a long of 33 that set up a scoring opportunity for the Mules. The junior also blocked a punt late in the first quarter that led to Colby's first score of the game. The running back also gained 30 yards on the ground and collected three receptions for 21 yards. His rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter brought Colby within three of the Ephs.
Men's Soccer | Weekly Release & Honor Roll
Brendan McCarthy – Colby – Jr. – GK – Northborough, Mass.
McCarthy tallied two more shutouts in net last week, including guiding the Mules to a 2-0 win at Trinity where he registered six saves and defended six second-half corner attempts. The junior goalkeeper has four shutouts this season and the Colby defensive unit has not surrendered a goal this season.
Women's Soccer | Weekly Release & Honor Roll
Patience Kum – Amherst – Jr. – F – Takoradi, Ghana
Kum scored five goals in a 2-0-0 week for the Mammoths. Kum struck twice in a 4-1 win over Tufts on Sunday. Kum scored gave Amherst a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute and broke a 1-1 tie to push the Mammoths in front for good with her second marker in the 58th minute. The junior added a hat trick in a victory over Lasell and leads the NESCAC with six goals in five games this season.
Volleyball | Weekly Release & Honor Roll
Marit Hoyem – Williams – Sr. - MH/OPP – Menlo Park, Calif.
Hoyem totaled 45 kills (3.0 kills per set) with a .463 hitting percentage in a 4-0 week for the Ephs. The senior tallied 15 kills and five total blocks in a five-set win against Hamilton and added nine kills on 12 attempts (.667) against Middlebury. Hoyem finished the week with 11 blocks and two service aces to help Williams improve to 7-0 in 2023.
