KANSAS CITY, Mo. — After delivering one of the most prolific offensive stretches in the nation this season, Millie Rayner of Tennessee Southern has been named the PrestoSports NAIA Women's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week.
The sophomore from High Halstow, England, earned the national honor following a remarkable two-match span that helped propel the Firehawks to a pair of Southern States Athletic Conference victories and further cemented UT Southern as one of the most dangerous attacking teams in the country.
Rayner put together a historic week, totaling 11 goals, four assists, and 26 points while helping the Firehawks outscore their opponents 38-0. Her performance began with a dominant outing against Wesleyan (Ga.), where she erupted for seven goals and three assists, accounting for 17 points in one of the finest individual performances in program history. She placed 12 of her 17 shots on frame in the match, consistently challenging the Wolves' defense and setting the tone for a record-setting offensive display.
Two days later, Rayner returned to the scoresheet in emphatic fashion, recording four goals and one assist in UT Southern's 19-0 victory over Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. Her four-goal effort helped the Firehawks remain unbeaten in conference play while extending one of the nation's most explosive offensive runs.
During the two-match stretch, Rayner was directly involved in 15 goals, showcasing her ability not only to finish chances but also to create opportunities for her teammates. Her versatility, work rate, and attacking instincts fueled a Firehawk attack that continues to rank among the NAIA's elite.
Behind Rayner's leadership, UT Southern has scored 73 goals through its first seven matches, averaging more than 10 goals per contest. The Firehawks have emerged as one of the top offensive teams in the country and continue to climb the national conversation as the season progresses.
The award marks another milestone in a standout career for Rayner, who has become one of the premier players in both the SSAC and the NAIA. Her national recognition follows an SSAC Offensive Player of the Week honor earned earlier this week.
Rayner and the Firehawks return to the pitch Tuesday afternoon when UT Southern welcomes No. 12 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) to Grissom Pitch for a key non-conference matchup. Following that contest, the Firehawks resume SSAC play on Sept. 26 against Blue Mountain Christian University (Miss.).
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