Troy University Athletics
Taylor Richards Named Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week
9/16/2025 2:00:00 PM | Soccer
TROY, Ala. - Troy goalkeeper Taylor Richards was named the Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week following a stellar week in net for the Trojans.
The junior from Plano, Texas, posted a .900 save percentage on the week, recording nine saves and allowing just one goal as Troy closed non-conference action with a 3-1 win at Stetson before a scoreless draw at Arkansas State in Sunday's Sun Belt opener.
Against Arkansas State, the Auburn transfer racked up a career-best eight saves, including two in the final ten minutes, en route to her third shutout of the season, which is tied for the Sun Belt lead. Richards' eight saves were tied for the most in a shutout by any Sun Belt goalkeeper this season, and the most by a Trojan since Lindsay LaRoche against Texas State in the 2020 Sun Belt Tournament.
Richards' dominant week improved her goals against average to .714, which leads the Sun Belt Conference. Additionally, Richards ranks second in the conference with an .821 save percentage.Â
Richards is the first Trojan to win a Sun Belt Weekly Award since Erin Bloomfield was named the Offensive Player of the Week in Week 1, 2021, and the first Defensive Player of the Week since Haleigh Mercer in Week 6, 2019.
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The junior from Plano, Texas, posted a .900 save percentage on the week, recording nine saves and allowing just one goal as Troy closed non-conference action with a 3-1 win at Stetson before a scoreless draw at Arkansas State in Sunday's Sun Belt opener.
Against Arkansas State, the Auburn transfer racked up a career-best eight saves, including two in the final ten minutes, en route to her third shutout of the season, which is tied for the Sun Belt lead. Richards' eight saves were tied for the most in a shutout by any Sun Belt goalkeeper this season, and the most by a Trojan since Lindsay LaRoche against Texas State in the 2020 Sun Belt Tournament.
Richards' dominant week improved her goals against average to .714, which leads the Sun Belt Conference. Additionally, Richards ranks second in the conference with an .821 save percentage.Â
Richards is the first Trojan to win a Sun Belt Weekly Award since Erin Bloomfield was named the Offensive Player of the Week in Week 1, 2021, and the first Defensive Player of the Week since Haleigh Mercer in Week 6, 2019.
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Players Mentioned
GK
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