Paul Quinn, Huston-Tillotson, Wiley win Opening HBCUAC Women's Soccer Weekly Awards
NEW ORLEANS - September 2, 2025 - Paul Quinn College's Cora Hurst claims Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference Women's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week. Her teammate Mia Hawkins takes home Freshman of the Week Huston-Tillotson University goalkeeper Citlaly Vences garners Defensive Player of the Week. Wiley University transfer Cynthia Lopez earns Newcomer of the Week. The women were honored for their performances between August 18-31, the conference announced Tuesday.
Hurst recorded a hat trick in the Lady Tigers' season-opening victory over Jarvis Christian University on August 23. All five of her shots were on net. She scored the game-winning goal against North American University on Saturday. Hurst leads the conference in goals scored.
Hawkins recorded a goal and two assists in the victory over Jarvis Christian on August 23. She provided the assist on Hurst's goal against North American University on Saturday. Hawkins leads the HBCUAC with three assists.
Vances made 11 saves and held a 1.73 goals against average in two matches last week. In a relief outing on Monday, she stopped two of three shots against NCAA Division III school Southwestern University. Vances stopped nine of 10 shots in a start against NCAA Division II school St. Edward's University. The only goal she allowed was on a well-placed free kick. She ranks second in the conference in saves.
Lopez provided an assist on Wiley's second goal of the game. She scored on a rebound in the second half, which put the Lady Wildcats ahead by two in a 4-1 victory over North American University. Both of her shots were on goal.
Additional women's soccer weekly nominees: Mavis Ankomah (Paul Quinn), Nadia Hernandez (Wiley), Mariana Quijano (Wiley), Ashley Rosete (Paul Quinn), Yamilett Umana (Wiley)
About the HBCU Athletic Conference
The HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) is the only HBCU conference in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The HBCUAC membership includes Dillard University (LA), Fisk University (TN), Huston-Tillotson University (TX), Oakwood University (AL), Paul Quinn College (TX), Philander Smith University (AR), Rust College (MS), Southern University at New Orleans (LA), Stillman College (AL), Talladega College (AL), Tougaloo College (MS), University of the Virgin Islands (St. Thomas), Voorhees University (SC), Wilberforce University (OH), and Wiley University (TX). HBCUAC sponsors championships in men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's track and field, women's volleyball, softball, and baseball. In 2022, the HBCUAC secured the largest media rights deal in conference and NAIA history, signing a multimillion-dollar deal with Urban Edge Network. On July 1, 2024, the conference rebranded from the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) to the HBCU Athletic Conference, marking a new era for the conference that embodies the makeup of its membership. For more information, visit hbcuac.org.