Leah Leach named USA South Athlete of the Week
Posted: Oct 12, 2015

Leah Leach named USA South Athlete of the Week

By Chuck Tidmore

Sports Information Assistant 

 

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Huntingdon's Leah Leach was recognized as USA South Defensive Player of the Week on Monday for women's soccer.

Leach, a freshman goalkeeper for the Lady Hawks, helped her team to two conference double overtime ties this weekend. Leach has recorded four shutouts this season and currently ranks second in the USA South in saves with 81.

In Saturday's match, Leach recorded five saves allowed zero goals against Averett. She had four saves in regulation and two saves in the two overtime periods.

In Sunday's game against Greensboro, Leach recorded 11 saves in the scoreless double overtime tie. It was Greensboro's second time this season that they were shutout, the first being against conference leader Meredith. Leach had 10 saves through the first 90 minutes. Greensboro had one shot on goal in the second overtime, but Leach made a crucial save to help her team get the tie.

 

Below is the complete list of USA South Athletes of the Week:

 

Football Offensive Player of the Week
Kenny Hall, Averett - The sophomore quarterback from Concord, North Carolina became the first Cougar quarterback since 2006 to throw for three touchdowns in a game last week in a 41-33 victory over USA South rival Methodist. Hall was 14-of-23 for 250 yards with the three scores and two interceptions. Additionally, Hall carried the ball 21 times for 40 yards and a touchdown. Also Nominated: Gerrel Patton, N.C. Wesleyan; Marsalas Jackson, LaGrange; Dylan DeGroot, Methodist; Kenneth Purvis, Greensboro.

Football Offensive Rookie of the Week
Dylan DeGroot, Methodist - The freshman quarterback from Fort Myers, Florida accumulated three touchdowns in a 41-33 loss at USA South foe Averett last week. DeGroot was 22-of-35 with 332 yards passing with two touchdowns. He also carried the ball eight times for 15 yards and a touchdown. Also Nominated: Slade Dale, N.C. Wesleyan; Sean Bowman, Averett; Kenneth Purvis, Greensboro.

Football Defensive Player of the Week 
 Bobby Tucker, N.C. Wesleyan - The Durham, North Carolina junior defensive back set a new single-game program record with three interceptions in a 24-7 victory over USA South foe Maryville last week. Additionally, Tucker totaled seven tackles, six of which were solo take downs, one pass break-up and a blocked field goal. Tucker returned his three interceptions for a total of 54 yards. Also Nominated: Brandon Penn, LaGrange; Anthony White, Huntingdon; Don Warren, Averett; Tevis Dasher, Methodist; Tyrone Barber, Greensboro.

Football Defensive Rookie of the Week
Tevis Dasher, Methodist - The freshman linebacker from Folkston, Georgia returned an interception 26 yards for a touchdown in a 41-33 loss to USA South foe Averett last week. Dasher also accumulated four solo tackles and two sacks in the contest. Also Nominated: Trevor Campbell, N.C. Wesleyan; Royce Owens, LaGrange; Trey Hayes, Huntingdon; Darrell Ashley, Greensboro.

Football Special Teams Player of the Week
Zack Kudwa, LaGrange - The Dallas, Georgia sophomore place kicker was a perfect on both of his field goal attempts and all three of his point-after-touchdown efforts in a 27-25 victory over USA South foe Greensboro last week. Kudwa hit on field goal attempts from 19 and 20 yards. Also Nominated: Travis Jones, Averett.

Men's Soccer Player of the Week
Carlos Barragan, Greensboro - The freshman midfielder from Winter Garden, Florida tallied five goals in a 2-0 week for the Pride versus USA South competition. In a 5-0 win over LaGrange, Barragan tallied a hat trick with three goals, including the match's first and thus the eventual game-winner. In a 6-1 victory over Huntingdon, Barragan notched two more scores. Also Nominated: Caetano Viegas, N.C. Wesleyan; Caleb Lucas, Maryville; David Cuperman, Averett; Seth Harrison, Methodist.

Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
 Isaiah Nji, Greensboro - The senior defender from Sugar Land, Texas tallied a goal while leading a defense which allowed just one goal in a 2-0 week versus USA South competition. In a 5-0 shutout over LaGrange, the Pride defense allowed just one shot on goal. In a 6-1 victory over LaGrange, the Pride defense again allowed one shot on goal while Nji tallied the first score of the game in the fifth minute. Also Nominated: Kenneth Hearn, Piedmont; Brandon Baksh, Maryville; John Matrisciano, Averett; Alex Rabone, Methodist.

Men's Soccer Rookie of the Week
Carlos Barragan, Greensboro - The freshman midfielder from Winter Garden, Florida tallied five goals in a 2-0 week for the Pride versus USA South competition. In a 5-0 win over LaGrange, Barragan tallied a hat trick with three goals, including the match's first and thus the eventual game-winner. In a 6-1 victory over Huntingdon, Barragan notched two more scores. Also Nominated: George Davies, Maryville; David Cuperman, Averett; Dylan Thomas, Methodist.

Women's Soccer Player of the Week
Samantha Litt, Meredith - The Apex, North Carolina sophomore forward tallied a very important three points, one goal with one assist, in a 2-0 week versus USA South competition for the Avenging Angels. In a 2-1 victory over Piedmont, Litt was in on both goals as she first assisted on a score in the 68th minute to tie the game before scoring the game-winner in the 72nd minute. The victory placed Meredith atop the current USA South Women's Soccer standings. In an 8-0 victory over William Peace, Litt was scoreless but managed one shot on goal. Also Nominated: Cassidy Reich, Piedmont; Lizzy Simmons, Maryville; Amanda Gustavsson, Averett; Samara Alba, Greensboro; Taylor Cavasos, Methodist.

Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Leah Leach, Huntingdon - The Palm Coast, Florida freshman goalkeeper led the Hawks to two scoreless ties versus USA South competition last week by stopping all 16 shots she faced during 220 minutes in net. In a draw versus Averett, Leach made five saves. In a tie with Greensboro, Leach pushed aside 11 shots. Also Nominated: Michaela Gardner, Piedmont; Miranda Lukas, Maryville; Jaisa Loch, Meredith; Bailee Brown, Averett; Brittany Morrison, Greensboro; Taylor Ross, Methodist.

Women's Soccer Rookie of the Week
Cassidy Reich, Piedmont - The Largo, Florida freshman forward tallied two goals and two assists in a 2-1 week for the Lions. In a 3-0 win over Toccoa Falls, Reich notched two goals including the first and thus the eventual game-winning score. In a 2-1 loss to USA South foe Meredith, Reich assisted on the team's only score. Finally, in a 1-0 win over USA South rival Methodist, Reich assisted on the game's only goal. Also Nominated: Natasha Enrique, Maryville; Celena Greer, Meredith; Jenna Maschino, Huntingdon; Skye Gunn, Averett; Brittany Morrison, Greensboro; Capri Clark, Methodist.

Volleyball Player of the Week
Schuyler Moore, Covenant - The sophomore setter from Fort Myers, Florida averaged 9.17 assists, 4.08 digs, 1.33 kills and 0.58 blocks per set as the Scots posted a 2-1 record last week. Moore tallied double-doubles in each of the three matches. In a 3-1 loss at Birmingham-Southern, Moore tallied 41 assists, 15 digs, four kills and two blocks. In a 3-2 win over USA South rival Averett, Moore totaled 41 assists, 22 digs, eight kills, four blocks and two service aces. Finally, in a 3-0 victory over USA South foe Ferrum, Moore contributed 28 assists, 12 digs, four kills, two service aces and one block. Also Nominated: Taylor Cramsey, Piedmont; Madison Coker, Maryville; Karlie Long, Meredith; Evie Hunter, N.C. Wesleyan; Audrianna Hargitt, Huntingdon; Hannah Shields, Averett; Cassidy Hayes, Methodist; Shayla Moss, Greensboro.

Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week
Carson Williams, William Peace - The sophomore defensive specialist from Beulaville, North Carolina averaged 6.14 digs and 1.00 assists per set as the Pacers posted a 4-0 record last week. In a 3-0 win over Guilford, Williams totaled 14 digs, three assists and one service ace. In a 3-1 win over USA South foe Greensboro, Williams posted 25 digs and four assists. In a 3-0 victory over USA South rival Huntingdon, Williams contributed 25 digs and three assists. Finally, in a 3-1 win over USA South foe LaGrange, Williams totaled 22 digs, four assists and three service aces. Also Nominated: Haley Hixon, Piedmont; Christina Huber, N.C. Wesleyan; Lauren Condon, Huntingdon; Christiana Summa, Averett; Karly Klimas, Methodist; Tori Belcher, Greensboro; Ariana Buchanan, Covenant; Kaitlyn Flickinger, Maryville.

Volleyball Rookie of the Week
Emily Peters, Piedmont - The freshman setter from Charleston, South Carolina averaged 9.92 assists and 2.17 digs per set as the Lions posted a 3-0 record last week versus USA South competition. In a 3-1 win over LaGrange, Peters notched a double-double with 47 assists and 11 digs to go along with one service ace and one block. In a 3-0 victory over Mary Baldwin, Peters totaled 27 assists, four digs, two service aces and two blocks. Finally, in a 3-2 win over Greensboro, Peters tallied a double-double with 45 assists and 11 digs to go along with one service ace and one block. Also Nominated: Taylor Youell, Maryville; Taylor Smith, N.C. Wesleyan; Ashton Flores, Huntingdon; Keenan Marks, Averett; Jordan Tew, Methodist; Meredith Summers, Greensboro.

Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week
Cody Parker, Piedmont - The junior from Clarkesville, Georgia placed 53rd out of 87 runners at the Gene Mullin Invitational hosted by Furman University last week. Parker completed the 5K course in a time of 17:47, helping the Lions to an eighth place team finish. Also Nominated: None.

Men's Cross Country Rookie of the Week
Sam Maxfield, Methodist - The freshman from Fayetteville, North Carolina placed 233rd out of 345 runners at the Queens University Royals Cross Country Challenge last week. Maxfield completed the 8K course in a time of 29:05, helping the Monarchs to a 36th place team finish. Also Nominated: Clayton Thayer, Piedmont.

Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week
 Kali Carr, Mary Baldwin - The freshman from Staunton, Virginia placed 72nd out of 304 runners at the Disney Cross Country Classic last week. Carr completed the 5K course in a time of 20:03, helping the Fighting Squirrels to a 25th place team finish. Also Nominated: Reese Bowles, Piedmont.

Women's Cross Country Rookie of the Week
Kali Carr, Mary Baldwin - The freshman from Staunton, Virginia placed 72nd out of 304 runners at the Disney Cross Country Classic last week. Carr completed the 5K course in a time of 20:03, helping the Fighting Squirrels to a 25th place team finish. Also Nominated: Mackenzie Devine, Piedmont; Shelbee Knopf, Methodist.