After a slow start to the season, Winthrop women’s soccer has sparked a flame. With the two victories over South Carolina State and ETSU, the team is now 2–3 overall. The Eagles take pride in carrying a two-game winning streak into conference play.
Along with the team’s wins, came conference recognition for two seniors. Both Allie Thomas and Keeley Leising drew All Big South honors following a major week for the Eagles.
Thomas was named Big South Attacking Player of the Week. In the match against SC State, Thomas scored two goals, and later headed in the game-winner for the match against ETSU.
“It’s motivating to receive news like that because it just makes you want to go out every week, perform well for your team, and earn it again,” Thomas said.
Thomas is not a first-time Big South honoree. She has received both Player of the Week and two All-Conference team honors.
Thomas has been playing soccer since she was six years old. According to Winthrop Athletics, in her junior season, Thomas led the team with six goals.
Thomas hopes to continue to carry her leadership and experience into the remainder of the season.
“We had a tough start to the season with a run of poor results, so it was nice to see things come together in the past week and pick up two good wins,” Thomas said. “This has given everybody a lift around the team, and hopefully we can keep these results going and have a strong run of games now.”
Alongside Thomas, Leising was recognized as Big South Defensive Player of the Week. Leising racked up four assists in the games against SC State and ETSU.
According to Winthrop Athletics, Leising is leading the Big South in assists this season and ranks in the top 10 nationally for average assists per game.
Leising has been playing soccer for 16 years and her recent honor is an ode to her skill development.
“It felt good,” Leising said. “I feel like last year I had a dip in my season, so getting my confidence felt really good and like I was back on track again.”
This most recent honor is also not the first for Leising. She was recognized as Big South Freshman of the Week twice during her freshman season.
Now as one of the team’s leaders, Leising is hoping to carry the current momentum to finish out the season.
“We are definitely going to have to keep pushing,” Leising said. “As long as we can keep playing the 90 minutes of good soccer, I feel like we will be really successful.”
Both players spoke on how their recognitions would not have been possible without the other.
“I think the reason we both were honored this week was because of each other,” Thomas said about Leising. “She played balls into me which I was able to capitalize on. Keeley’s a great player and deserves it—I’m happy for her.”
Their comments on each other’s game is an ode to teamwork.
“It feels really good, Allie definitely deserves the recognition too,” Leising said. “I wouldn’t have any of the recognition I have without her, and it goes both ways—since I assisted all the goals she got, and she scored off of all of them.”
Both players, along with their teammates, are looking to capitalize on the team’s full potential and be dominant in Big South play.
Photo: Courtesy of Winthrop Athletics
