The NESCAC has released its Players of the Week for the week ending of November 3. 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
Ava Donohue – Bates – So. – Goalie – Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.
Donohue began the week with seven saves in a victory over Colby in the final regular-season game. In the NESCAC Quarterfinals against Hamilton, the sophomore delivered her best performance of the season. First, Donohue made two saves during regulation and overtime to earn her third shutout of the year. In the shootout, Donohue allowed one goal in five attempts by Hamilton, leading Bates to a 2-1 victory and a spot in the NESCAC Semifinals for the third consecutive year.
NESCAC Football Offensive Player of the Week | Weekly Release
Matt Fitzsimons – Wesleyan – Jr. – QB – Somers, N.Y.
Fitzsimons led the Cardinals to a comeback victory, helping Wesleyan defeat Williams 34-28 in overtime to secure a record-breaking fourth straight Little Three Championship. He guided the Cardinals on two touchdown drives, overcoming a 28-14 deficit with less than three minutes remaining to send the game into overtime. During the extra period, Fitzsimons connected with Sean Cannon on a 24-yard pass on first down, setting up a walk-off touchdown run on the next play to seal the win. He finished 29-for-50 for a school-record 458 yards, surpassing the previous record of 437 yards set by Zach Canter ’07 against Hamilton in 2004. The junior also scored three touchdowns and registered gains of 44, 47, and 56 yards in the second half.
NESCAC Football Defensive Player of the Week
Angus Leary – Bowdoin – So. – LB – West Roxbury, Mass.
Leary led the Polar Bear defense in a 17-9 victory over Bates on Saturday. He recorded six tackles and 2.5 sacks, including one that forced a fumble late in the second quarter as Bates was driving at midfield. Leary is the conference leader in sacks (8.5) and tackles for loss (14.5).
NESCAC Football Special Teams Player of the Week
Dean Sokaris – Wesleyan – Sr. – DL – Guilderland, N.Y.
On the would-be go-ahead field goal attempt, Sokaris made a crucial block from 26 yards out in overtime, helping lead the Cardinals to a 34-28 victory over Williams. Sokaris, who also had six tackles, got a hand on the ball, and the Wesleyan offense finished the game with a touchdown two plays later on its overtime possession.
NESCAC Men's Soccer Player of the Week | Weekly Release
Joshwin Jennings – Wesleyan - Jr. – Forward – Parsippany, N.J.
Jennings netted the game-tying goal on a penalty kick in Tuesday's 1-1 draw in the regular season finale against Conn. College. That crucial point for Wesleyan secured the No. 2 seed for the Cardinals in the NESCAC Tournament. Jennings also scored the game-tying goal in a 3-2 come-from-behind win in the NESCAC Quarterfinal against Amherst. With the Cardinals trailing 2-1 with under 10 minutes to play, Jennings scored from just outside the box with 9:18 remaining. In the final minute, Jennings initiated the action that led to teammate Aiden Londergan’s game-winner with just 14.2 seconds left on the clock. The win propelled the Cardinals into the NESCAC Semifinals for the first time since 2015.
NESCAC Women's Soccer Player of the Week | Weekly Release
Elsi Aires – Tufts – Sr. – Forward – Westborough, Mass.
Aires netted three goals for six points last week. Aires tallied two markers in Tufts’ victory in the regular-season finale versus Bowdoin. The senior also scored the game-winning goal for the top-seeded Jumbos in a 2-1 win over Wesleyan, as her shot from the edge of the box in the 63rd minute was the difference. It was Aires' 10th goal of the season. The forward has posted double-digit goals in each of her last three seasons at Tufts. Aires has scored four game-winning goals this season, matching her mark from the previous two seasons.
NESCAC Volleyball Player of the Week | Weekly Release
Maiwenn Kamdje – Tufts – So. – Right-Side Hitter – Wellesley, Mass.
Kamdje helped Tufts secure a 3-2 victory over No. 14 Wesleyan, which was previously unbeaten in conference play, in the Jumbos’ only match of the week. Kamdje posted a .371 hitting percentage on 35 attempts, recording 19 kills, four blocks (including two solo), and three digs. Her 22 points in the match led all players, marking Wesleyan’s first home NESCAC loss since 2021.
