The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced its weekly awards following Week 8 of the 2026 women's soccer season. Purdue Northwest forward Melissa Mwaura (Offensive Player of the Week) and defender Reagan Brengman (Defensive Player of the Week) received recognition.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Melissa Mwaura, Purdue Northwest
Purdue Northwest Women’s Soccer junior forward Melissa Mwaura has been named this week’s GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week after a great weekend on the pitch. She delivered a standout offensive performance for Purdue Northwest during the Lions’ two-match week, scoring in both contests and playing a key role in the team’s unbeaten weekend against Roosevelt and Ferris State. Mwaura opened the week with a crucial game-tying goal against Roosevelt on Friday, finding the back of the net to help PNW earn a 1-1 draw. She made the most of her opportunity, scoring on her only shot of the match while providing an important offensive spark for the Lions. She followed that performance with another impressive outing on Sunday against Ferris State, recording a goal and an assist in PNW’s 2-0 victory. Mwaura contributed directly to both goals in the shutout win, helping the Lions secure a valuable GLIAC victory. She once again demonstrated her finishing ability, scoring on her lone shot of the match while converting a penalty kick. Across the two matches, Mwaura recorded two goals and one assist for five points, scoring on both of her shots and putting both attempts on target. She played a decisive role in the Lions’ offensive production, accounting for multiple goals while helping PNW collect four points over the weekend. Mwaura’s ability to deliver in critical moments, from her game-tying goal against Roosevelt to her goal-and-assist performance in the victory over Ferris State, made her a major contributor to Purdue Northwest’s success.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Reagan Brengman, Wayne State
Redshirt senior captain and defender Reagan Brengman earned her second GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week honor of the season after helping lead the Warriors to a 2-0 weekend, moving them into a tie for first place in the conference standings. Brengman anchored a strong Warrior back line that recorded back-to-back shutouts, holding both opponents scoreless. She logged 170 minutes across the two contests and contributed to the game-winning goals in both victories. In the Warriors’ 1-0 win at Parkside, she assisted on the game-winning goal off a free kick from midfield. During a 3-0 victory at Roosevelt, Brengman helped set up the game-winning goal in the 39th minute, heading a goal kick to Jasniewicz, who found the back of the net.
HONORABLE MENTION
Offense: Haley Buckman (Ferris State), Gretchen Ellis (Northern Michigan), Sarah Fromm (Grand Valley State)m Sabrina Gaul (Wayne State), Ava Rizzitano (Parkside)
Defense: Gretchen Ellis (Northern Michigan), Lindsey Ferrara (Parkside), Macie Hunter (Grand Valley State), Korinne Ihrke (Ferris State)
