BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced Weekly Soccer Awards for October 6, 2026, where Texas Southern’s Ava Coverdale was named Offensive Player of the Week, Southern’s Brooke Atkins was named Newcomer of the Week along with Gia Johnson being named Defensive Player of the Week. Rounding out the awards, Adriana Durango earned Goalkeeper of the Week.
 
SWAC Women’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week: Ava Coverdale, Texas Southern
The Junior Forward from Tracy, California led Texas Southern to their second win in SWAC Play, adding a brace in the win over Prairie View A&M in Sunday’s win. Coverdale is tied first in the SWAC with eight goals, along with being ranked second with 17 points. Coverdale adds her second weekly honor of the season and looks to continue consistent play as Texas Southern returns to the pitch with two matches on the slate this week.
 
SWAC Women’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week: Gia Johnson, Southern
The Senior from Baltimore, Maryland helped the Lady Jaguars earn a shutout win, limiting the Golden Lions to just one shot through two halves. Johnson added two assists in the win and managed to be in the right spots through each possession. Johnson’s impactful play earns her first weekly award of the season.
 
SWAC Women’s Soccer Newcomer of the Week: Brooke Atkins, Southern
The Freshman Forward from Houston, Texas contributed with a brace in the shutout win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff while adding four points. With two shots on goal, Atkins scored at the 38th and 78th minute. Following an explosive outing on the pitch, Atkins earned her first weekly award of the season.
 
SWAC Women’s Basketball Goalkeeper of the Week: Adriana Durango, Alabama A&M
The Sophomore from West Palm Beach, Florida earned her second win in goal with a shutout over Alabama State while adding a save. Durango faced five shots and continues to manage the opposing offense. Adding her second consecutive shutout in SWAC Play, Durango adds her second 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.