SPARTANBURG, S.C. –  Samford head coach Todd Yelton was named the Southern Conference Coach of the Year and junior forward Sam De Luca earned SoCon Player of the Year honors when the league released its postseason women's soccer awards Thursday afternoon.
 
In addition to Yelton's and De Luca's awards, six Samford players were named to the All-SoCon teams.
 
De Luca was joined on the first team All-SoCon team by midfielder Sarah Holland and defender Caroline Smith. Samford's representatives on the second team were forward Mamie Carman, midfielder Fleming Dean and goalkeeper Peyton Hull. Carman was also named to the league's All-Freshman team.
 
Yelton, Samford's all-time winningest coach, led his team to a record of 10-2-5 overall and 7-0-2 in Southern Conference play to win the outright SoCon regular season title. The championship marked Samford's 11th SoCon regular season championship since joining the league in 2008, all under Yelton.
 
De Luca has had a breakout season this year. She has netted a SoCon-best 12 goals, which are tied for 16th in the nation. She also has four assists, and she leads the SoCon with 28 total points for the season.
 
Holland is tied for second on the team in both goals with four and assists with four. Her 12 total points for the season rank second on the squad.
 
Smith has been a key part of Samford's defense this season. She also leads the team with five assists on the year.
 
Carman was tied for second on the team with four goals this season. She also had two assists for a total of 10 points. Dean tallied two goals and one assist on the season.
 
Hull has posted a goals against average of 0.82 with 70 saves in 1530 minutes in goal. She leads the SoCon and is tied for fourth in the nation in shutouts with 10.
 
With its regular season title, Samford earned the No. 1 seed for the upcoming SoCon Tournament. Samford will open play in the tournament by hosting Wofford Friday at 4 p.m. at Shauna Yelton Field.
 
2025 Women's Soccer All-Conference Team
  
Player of the Year – Sam De Luca, Jr., F, Samford
Defensive Player of the Year – Ava Robitaille, Sr., M, Western Carolina
Coach of the Year – Todd Yelton, Samford
Freshman of the Year – Quinn Johnson, F, Chattanooga
 
First Team
F – Reagan Fitzgerald, ETSU
F – Sam De Luca, Samford
F – Caroline Richvalsky, Chattanooga
F – Isabella DeMarco, Western Carolina
M – Grace Eatz, ETSU
M – Sarah Holland, Samford
M – Ava Robitaille, Western Carolina
D – Mary Mueth, Western Carolina
D – Caroline Smith, Samford
D – Abbie Wise, Western Carolina
GK – Leanne Trudel, Western Carolina
 
Second Team
F – Norah Roller, Furman
F – Mamie Carman, Samford
F – Quinn Johnson, Chattanooga
F – Milla Syska, Western Carolina
M – Maddie Massie, Furman
M – Taylor Mentzer, UNCG
M – Rina Ogimoto, UNCG
M – Fleming Dean, Samford
M – Clarissa Salinas, Chattanooga
D – Georgia Shields, ETSU
D – Ella Parker, ETSU
D – Ellie Hermann, Furman
GK – Addison Yelton, ETSU
GK – Peyton Hull, Samford

All-Freshman Team
Gabi Macer, The Citadel
Ainsley Parker, ETSU
Caroline Wawak, ETSU
Jessica Mattson, Furman
Kelsie Henton, Mercer
Payton Nutzman, Mercer
Mamie Carman, Samford
Quinn Johnson, Chattanooga
Reese Wilson, Chattanooga
Addison Davis, Western Carolina
Julia Grier, Wofford
 
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