NEW ORLEANS – James Madison senior midfielder Sophia Verrecchia and Old Dominion senior goalkeeper Emily Bredek led their respective teams with wins in non-league games and were named Sun Belt Conference soccer players of the week.

Bredek was named to the 2024 Preseason All-Sun Belt Team and was named the 2023 Sun Belt Goaltender of the Year. She will be honored as Defensive Player of the Week for the second time in her career and the first since October 17, 2023, while Verrecchia will take home Offensive Player of the Week for the first time.

Offensive player of the week in women’s football

Sophia Verrecchia, James Madison
(Sr. | M | Marlton, NJ)

In two games last week, Verrecchia scored five points and recorded a goal and an assist in a 3-3 tie with La Salle on Aug. 22. She followed that performance with an 88th-minute tying goal that forced a 1-1 tie in a road game with Maryland on Aug. 25.



Defensive Player of the Week in Women’s Football
Emily Bredek, Old Dominion
(Sr. | GK | Huntington Beach, California)


Bredek had a great week in goal, going two straight clean sheets in two wins for the Monarchs. The senior began the week with a standout performance in a 2-0 win at William & Mary on Aug. 22. She made a career-high nine saves, including several saves from close range as the Tribe peppered her with chances throughout the evening. She was instrumental in orchestrating a defense that kept UNCW away from the goal in a 2-0 win on Aug. 25.

2024 Sun Belt Women’s Soccer Offensive Players of the Week
Week 1 – Keelyn Peacock, M, Arkansas State
Week 2 – Sophia Verrecchia, M, James Madison



2024 Sun Belt Women’s Soccer Defensive Players of the Week
Week 1 – Damaris Deschaine, GK, Arkansas State
Week 2 – Emily Bredek, GK, Old Dominion