IWLCA Players of the Week – February 17, 2026

By IWLCA Admin, 02/17/2026, 2:30PM ET

Photo courtesy of Young Harris Athletics.

IWLCA Players of the Week – February 17, 2026

NORTHBOROUGH, MASS. – The IWLCA has chosen six student-athletes for the IWLCA Player of the Week awards for the week ending February 15, 2026. This weekly award recognizes the best offensive and defensive performances by players in Division I, II, and the NAIA.

Division I

Offensive Player of the Week
 Kaitlyn Giandonato—University of Pittsburgh

Giandonato powered Pitt to a 17–10 wire-to-wire win over No. 13 Duke, recording six points on four goals and two assists. The junior midfielder also added three ground balls, one draw control, and a career-high four caused turnovers, repeatedly creating transition opportunities for the Panthers. The victory marked the highest-ranked win in program history.

Defensive Player of the Week

Teagan Scott—Clemson University

Scott delivered a record-setting performance against No. 4 Stanford, totaling 10 caused turnovers to set a new Clemson single-game mark, along with four ground balls. At the top of the week against Furman, she recorded three caused turnovers and one ground ball.

Division II

Offensive Player of the Week
 Mary Troyer—Young Harris College

Troyer recorded six points in Young Harris’ one-point victory over the University of Montevallo, finishing with four goals and two assists. She also contributed across the stat sheet with 10 draw controls, five ground balls, and one caused turnover.

Defensive Player of the Week

Kolby Cohen—Florida Southern College

Cohen helped lead Florida Southern to a 13–10 win over No. 11 Lynn with a strong all-around effort in the midfield. She recorded seven draw controls, two ground balls, and two caused turnovers to help secure the victory.

NAIA

Offensive Player of the Week
Ellen Benintendi—Savannah College of Art and Design 

Benintendi opened the season in dominant fashion, contributing heavily to SCAD’s success in the 2-0 start to the season. Across the two contests, she totaled eight goals and three assists while controlling the pace at the draw. She tied the program’s single-game record with 15 draw controls against No. 5 Reinhardt, then surpassed it with 17 against NCAA Division II Shorter.

Defensive Player of the Week

Baylee Walker—Keiser University

Walker delivered a dominant all-around performance in Keiser’s 19-6 road win at St. Thomas. She recorded three caused turnovers and three ground balls in the contest. Walker also controlled the draw circle with four draw controls. Offensively, she capitalized on those extra chances, scoring three goals and adding two assists for five total points.