Photo: Andy Mead/YCJ
By Brian Maurer
College women’s soccer week 2 just wrapped up and it was a big one for the the top teams in the Big Ten. Experienced college stars like Mia Minestrella also had big weeks.
Here’s our women’s college soccer week 2 awards:
Team of the Week
Michigan State
Michigan State went on the road and earned a massive win against a powerhouse North Carolina program. The Spartans announced themselves as a top contender with two big-time attackers who are both clicking to start the 2026 season. Out of the gate it feels like Michigan State gives the Big Ten at least one team that could challenge for a spot in the College Cup.
Offensive Player of the Week
Mia Minestrella – Senior – Forward – Duke
Mia Minestrella dominated this past week scoring five goals across two games. This outpouring of goals follows up her opening week goal on the road against USC. The veteran forward now has 50 goal contributions (36g/14a) in her Blue Devil career.
Defensive Player of the Week
Jenny Ngankem – Junior – Center back – Texas State
Jenny Ngankem had as good an attacking performance as you will ever see from a defender against Texas A&M midweek. She helped Texas State open the scoring with a long pass from a set piece from near the center line into the box. She then followed that assist up with a goal off a volley. The junior then helped State battle it out with ranked Baylor over the weekend, which was the program’s first victory against a ranked opponent. It was a big week with two wins for Texas State and Ngankem.
Goalkeeper of the Week
Peighton Northrup – Senior – Ohio State
Peighton Northrup has had a strong start to 2026. After shutting out the Clemson Tigers in week one she followed that performance up with another clean sheet against a ranked opponent in Kansas this week where she made another six saves. Two shutouts and at least five saves in each contest against ranked opponents is about as perfect a way to start the year for Northrup.
Freshman of the Week
Kyla Dawn – Forward – Kentucky
Kyla Dawn is leading Kentucky in goal contributions and her productivity was rampant this past week where she scored three goals and added two assists in her past two games. She now as four goals and two assists in her freshman campaign.
