NEC Player of the Week: Marina Burzaco, FDU
NEC Defensive Player of the Week: Mikayla McPheron, LEM
NEC Rookie of the Week: Jenna Popowski, MU

Previous NEC Releases: August 24 | August 17 | NEC Preseason Poll

NEC WOMEN'S SOCCER PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Marina Burzaco, Jr., F., FDU
Madrid, Spain/San Ignacio de Loyola
Burzaco took over the match for FDU in the second half of a thrilling 2-2 draw against Monmouth on Sunday. The 2025 All-NEC First Team selection brought FDU on even terms in the 69th minute with a perfectly timed run to get on the end of great through ball from Maria Barrero. 16 minutes later, Burzaco struck again to give the Knights a late 2-1 lead in the 85th minute. The Madrid native was the NEC's top goal creator a season ago with 23 points and continues to be a dangerous threat in FDU's attack. Burzaco is currently an early golden boot candidate, sitting tied atop the chart with two goals in four matches.

NEC WOMEN'S SOCCER DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK 
Mikayla McPheron, Jr., GK, Le Moyne
Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy
McPheron is now in her third season as Le Moyne's first-choice goalkeeper and continues to prove why she is one of the NEC's best at the position. In two matches, McPheron saved 14-of-17 shots (.823 save percentage) and helped the Dolphins secure their first win of the 2026 campaign. The win came on Sunday against Saint Peter's in a 2-1 result. In that match, McPheron made six saves to keep Le Moyne in front. The junior has been the busiest keeper in the league thus far and has risen to the occasion. McPheron leads the league with 40 saves on the year.

NEC WOMEN'S SOCCER ROOKIE OF THE WEEK 
Jenna Popowski, Fr., F, Mercyhurst
Erie, PA/Fort LeBouef
Popowski earned her first NEC Weekly Award by playing the hometown hero in Mercyhurst's 1-0 victory over Robert Morris on Thursday. The Erie, PA native netted the lone goal of the match against the Colonials in the 79th minute, notching the Lakers their first win of the season in the process. Popowski was a goal-scoring machine during her time at Erie's Fort LeBoeuf High School, and showed her prowess in front of goal when the Lakers needed her most.
 
NEC PRIME PERFORMERS

Marina Burzaco, Jr., F., FDU
NEC Player of the Week.

Giana Cutuli, So., D, Le Moyne
Cutuli was a major factor in Le Moyne's win over Saint Peter's. The sophomore assisted both Dolphin goals in the match, placing her atop the NEC assist charts so far this season.

Mikayla McPheron, Jr., GK, Le Moyne
NEC Defensive Player of the Week.

Casey Rice, Sr., M, Stonehill
Rice bagged the only Stonehill goal in a 1-1 draw with Vermont on Sunday, and it is a contender for goal of the year. The senior intercepted a Catamount pass and struck a near 30-yard thunderbolt past the keeper to draw the Skyhawks level in the 40th minute. Rice's goal helped Stonehill secure its third draw of the season thus far.

2026 NEC WOMEN'S SOCCER WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS

NEC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Aug. 17: Riley Powers, CCSU
Aug. 24: Rebecca Devereux, CCSU
Aug. 31: Marina Burzaco, FDU

NEC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Aug. 17: Jenna Hamel, STO & Abigail Marcello, WAG
Aug. 24: Rosemarie Leblanc, FDU & Trinity Knox, HU
Aug. 31: Mikayla McPheron, LEM

NEC ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Aug. 17: Emma Sousa, LEM
Aug. 24: Ellie Westcott, CCSU
Aug. 31: Jenna Popowski, MU