Popov, Ruf Earn American Weekly Awards

HOUSTON – Rice soccer had a pair of athletes earn conference honors this week, with Sloane Popov being named the American Conference Freshman and Offensive Player of the Week, while Kirsten Ruf was named the American Conference Goalkeeper of the Week.

Popov led the Owls with a brace in Rice's 3-0 win against UL-Monroe last Thursday. Popov has now scored in three consecutive matches and leads the team with four goals.

Popov was an American Conference Honorable Mention last week.

Ruf earns her second Goalkeeper of the Week honor this season, recording her second clean sheet of the season, 3-0 against UL-Monroe.

Ruf finished the game with a pair of saves en route to the program's 250^th win.

Rice opens conference play Thursday night at Memphis.

American Conference Weekly Honors (Sept. 14, 2026)
Offensive Player of the Week - Sloane Popov, Fr., F, Rice

Defensive Player of the Week - Ally Casey, Jr., D, Memphis

Midfielder of the Week - Leah Varela, R-So., UTSA

Goalkeeper of the Week - Kirsten Ruf, Sr., Rice

Freshman of the Week - Sloane Popov, Fr., F, Rice

Honorable Mention
Lily Ridge, So., M/F, East Carolina
Evelyn Mackay, Jr., F, Memphis
Claire Niedermeier, Jr., F, North Texas
Sofia Peters, So., D, UTSA
Katelyn Reville, Fr., F, Temple

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Sloane Popov

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