Colorado’s Hope Leyba (offensive) and Texas Tech’s Eleanor Hays (defensive) captured the Big 12 Conference's weekly awards, joined by Arizona State’s Amy Medley (freshman) and Baylor’s Azul Alvarez (goalkeeper) for their performances in the final week of non-conference play.
Leyba recorded her third career three-goal performance as CU closed out its non-conference slate with a 6-0 shutout over Denver. She scored a goal in the first half, with her two other goals being netted less than seven minutes apart from each other. The hat trick last week placed her in Buffalo history as the first player to record three in their career. This week’s accolade is the fourth career honor for the league’s reigning Forward of the Year.
Hays and the TTU backline helped secure another win at the John Walker Soccer Complex with the team’s fourth shutout this season after beating Kent State 3-0. The win extended the Red Raiders’ unbeaten streak to 12 games, the longest streak among Power Four programs and the second-longest across the nation. While playing a crucial role on one of the nation’s best defensive teams, Hays’ first career goal was a 50-yard free kick. This is the senior’s first league honor, as she earns TTU’s second consecutive weekly award for defenders.
Medley tied as the Big 12 leader in assists (2) last week. The defender played a team-high 70 minutes in the 8-0 win over Grambling. The Sun Devils set a program single-game record with eight goals during the win. Medley’s assists led the team’s second-half offense, as her passes set up two goals within the first 12 minutes after halftime. She is the third freshman from the Sun Devils to capture a weekly honor this season.
Alvarez’s six saves tied for the most by Big 12 goalkeepers last week. She recorded her second shutout of the season during the 1-0 victory over Marquette and held Oral Roberts to one goal as BU picked up two wins last week. The Bears (7-1) posted their best non-conference slate since the 2018 season, with Alvarez playing every minute. This is the 5th year senior’s fourth career weekly honor.
Big 12 play begins this week with games slated for Thursday and Friday. The league went 70-24-25 during non-conference play.
2026 Big 12 Soccer Players of the Week - Sept. 16
Offensive: Hope Leyba, Colorado
Defensive: Eleanor Hays, Texas Tech
Goalkeeper: Azul Alvarez, Baylor
Freshman: Amy Medley, Arizona State