BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced Women’s Soccer Weekly Awards on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, where Grambling State’s Nyla Dore-Anderson was named Offensive Player of the Week followed by Jackson State’s Makayla Sturkey earning Defensive Player of the Week. Alcorn State’s Sophia Bobie was named Newcomer of the Week followed by Taylor Osborn swiping Goalkeeper of the Week.
 
SWAC Women’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week: Nyla Dore-Anderson, Grambling State
The Sophomore from Brampton, Ontario led the Lady Tigers to a 2-0 week scoring a goal in the win over Alabama State and attributing an assist. Dore-Anderson followed with an explosive Friday night performance, leading with a hat trick in the 3-0 win over Prairie View A&M to help Grambling State climb the SWAC Standings. Nyla Dore-Anderson is tied third in the SWAC with nine goals on the season, tied second with two-game winning goals, and tied third with 20 points. As Nyla Dore-Anderson’s collegiate resume continues to grow, she adds her second weekly award of the season.
 
SWAC Women’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week: Makayla Sturkey, Jackson State
The Junior Defender from Jamul, California has been an integral piece of Jackson State’s success on the pitch as the Lady Tigers have produced two consecutive shutouts. Sturkey helped the Lady Tigers continue their winning streak on the year with a 5-0 shutout where she scored a goal at 21^st minute and helped Jackson State outshoot the Lady Bulldogs. Sturkey adds her second weekly award of the season as Jackson State holds the No. 1 spot in the SWAC Women’s Soccer standings.
 
SWAC Women’s Soccer Newcomer of the Week: Sophia Bobie, Alcorn State
The Freshman Forward from Accra, Ghana helped the Lady Braves add a shutout win over Southern on Friday, October 16. Bobie was one of four Braves who scored a goal in the win, displaying the versatility on the pitch. Sophia Bobie’s goal in the win was her first collegiate goal and now adds her first collegiate weekly award.
 
SWAC Women’s Soccer Goalkeeper of the Week: Taylor Osborn, Jackson State
The Sophomore from Port St. Lucie, Florida continues to anchor the Jackson State defense in goal, adding her second consecutive shutout and third on the season. Osborn adds 47 saves and is ranked No. 9 in the NCAA with 6.71 saves per game. As Jackson State continues their streak, Osborn looks to help the Lady Tigers maintain their presence on the pitch as she adds her fourth weekly honor of the season.
 
About the SWAC
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams.
 
Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, and Tennis.

Women’s competition is offered in the sports of Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, and Volleyball.
 
Follow the SWAC
For complete coverage of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, please follow the SWAC on social media at @TheSWAC (Twitter), @TheSWAC (Facebook), and @TheSWAC (Instagram) or visit the official home of the Southwestern Athletic Conference at www.swac.org.