May 14, 2026
OKLAHOMA CITY (May 14, 2026) - The Women’s Premier Soccer League announced the Week One Regional Players of the Week presented by Global Scarves, the Exclusive Personalized Merchandise partner of the WPSL.
FC Davis’ Maddie Coles and West Florida Flames Academy’s Alliyah Cooper earned Offensive Player of the Week honors, while FC Davis’ Mia Escandon and Gulf Coast United’s Saige Kirkbride were named Defensive Player of the Week from the West and South Regions. Carli Blake of Gulf Coast United was tabbed Goalkeeper of the Week from the South Region. The Central Region does not kick off until Week Two of WPSL play.
FC Davis opened its 2026 campaign on the road versus Iron Rose FC in Roseville, Calif. on May 9. After a scoreless 40 minutes of the first half, the UC Davis senior put the Lions on the board in the 43rd minute to take momentum into the break. Coles recorded 60 minutes of action to help Davis win 2-0 to start the season.
“Her [Coles] opening goal right before the half was a turning point for FC Davis, swinging the momentum firmly in our favor,” Pip Harragin, FC Davis head coach, said. “This clinical finish was instrumental in changing the energy of the game heading into the break.”
In an expansion head-to-head, West Florida Flames Academy hosted Bay City Reign on May 9 in the season opener for the Sunshine Division of the Gulf Coast Conference. High schooler, Aliyah Couper doubled the Flames lead in the 12th minute and secured the first win of the season in her captained debut.
Recording 60 minutes of play, Mia Escandon, UC Davis senior, anchored FC Davis’ backline against the Iron Rose offensive threat to keep the home side off the board. Escandon’s impact pushed offensively with a crucial assist to Maddie Coles in the final minutes of the first half.
“Mia demonstrated exceptional leadership and defensive awareness by neutralizing two clear scoring threats,” Pip Harragin, FC Davis head coach, said. “Her impact was felt across the entire pitch.”
LSU-Alexandria senior, Saige Kirkbride led the Gulf Coast United defense in its opening game of the season where its new roster was still finding chemistry. Kirkbride kept Valdosta FC out of the night with six pivotal defensive stops to help secure Gulf Coast’s 4-1 win.
“Saige covered everyone in moments when we got disorganized,” Patrick Harrison, Gulf Coast United head coach, said. “She was always in position to be the last one to address the ball and won all her duels.”
High Schooler, Carli Blake split keeper duties for Gulf Coast United against Valdosta FC and earned a clean sheet in the first half, while making three saves on goal. Blake’s quickness of the line to prevent through balls and crosses relieved the pressure of the new Gulf Coast backline.
“In sloppy conditions we still were able to use her [Carli Blake] to play out of the back,” Patrick Harrison, Gulf Coast United head coach, said. “Her distribution got many possessions started and her leadership and communication are very mature for her young age.”
