The NESCAC has released its Players of the Week for the week ending of October 20. The conference recognizes student-athletes for each sport based on their contributions to their team each week based on information provided by the athletic communications offices on each campus. During the fall season, football, field hockey, men's soccer, women's soccer, and volleyball will be announced on Mondays.
NESCAC Field Hockey Player of the Week | Weekly Release
Kiki Higgins – Williams – Sr. – Forward – Weston, Mass.
Higgins led No. 18 Williams to wins over Hamilton and Conn. College. The senior tallied four goals and one assist during a 2-0 week for the Ephs. Higgins finished with two goals and one assist in a win at Connecticut College on Saturday and tallied two goals and converted her attempt in the shootout to lift Williams past Hamilton, 4-3, on Wednesday.
NESCAC Football Offensive Player of the Week | Weekly Release
Hudson Weidman – Tufts – So. – QB – Boxford, Mass.
Weidman totaled four touchdowns Tufts’ 41-20 win over Williams College. Weidman was an efficient 17-fo-23 for a career-high 335 yards on 73.9 percent passing and three touchdowns. The sophomore added 46 yards on the ground with one rushing score. Weidman connected on touchdown passes of 72 yards, 10 yards and 22 yards, while his 10-yard rushing score was the first rushing touchdown of his career. He also helped Tufts post a pair of 100-yard receivers for the first time since the 2023 season.
NESCAC Football Defensive Player of the Week
Lincoln Merrill – Colby – Jr. – LB – West Paris, Maine
Merrill led Colby's defense in a win against Hamilton. The junior tallied one sack for a loss of four yards on Hamilton’s final drive in the fourth quarter to help preserve Colby’s lead. Merrill also had a career-high 11 tackles, tying the mark he set a week ago against Amherst. Colby's defense has allowed 10 or fewer points in three of the last four games.
NESCAC Football Special Teams Player of the Week
Dylan Connors – Wesleyan – Sr. – DB – West Milford, N.J.
Connors’ blocked punt and return for a touchdown midway through the third quarter gave the Cardinals a 10-point lead in an eventual 31-21 win over Amherst. Connors broke through the line and blocked the Mammoths’ attempt, scooped up the loose ball at the 11-yard line and returned it for a touchdown. The senior’s contributions helped lead the Cardinal defense which shutout Amherst in the second half and forced four turnovers and two turnovers on downs in the win.
NESCAC Men's Soccer Player of the Week | Weekly Release
Will Sawin – Middlebury - Jr. – Forward – Stonington, Conn.
Sawin excelled in a 2-0 week for the Panthers. In the team’s final non-conference game of the year against Vassar, Sawin netted goals in the 10th and 90th minutes to help seal a 4-2 victory. The forward continued his strong week in a crucial conference matchup with Bates, tallying the primary assists on both goals to help keep Middlebury's postseason hopes alive in a 2-0 victory. Sawin leads the team with five goals and 14 points.
NESCAC Women's Soccer Player of the Week | Weekly Release
Molly Brumbach – Wesleyan – Sr. – Goalkeeper – Montclair, N.J.
Brumbach spearheaded a stellar defensive effort from the Cardinals as the senior goalkeeper made eight saves in a 1-0 shutout win over at Colby. Her steady presence in net kept the Mules at bay in a game where Colby outshot Wesleyan 34-11 including a 20-2 disparity in the second half. Brumbach made four saves in both the first and second half and helped defend 12 corner kicks by the Mules.
NESCAC Volleyball Player of the Week | Weekly Release
Gabby Grujic – Colby – Jr. – Setter – San Rafael, Calif.
Grujic averaged a double-double as Colby took on No. 3 Wisconsin-Oshkosh, No. 8 Wisconsin-Whitewater, and Augustana in a 2-1 week. The junior setter collected 31 assists (one away from her career-high) in both matches Saturday, including Colby's five-set win to knock off Whitewater in what is believed to be the program’s first win over a top-10 opponent. Grujic averaged 30.3 assists (6.07 per set) and 16 digs across all three matches, adding four kills, and two aces.
