ORLANDO, Fla. – Women's soccer and men's cross country each picked up their first Sunshine State Conference accolades of the year on Monday, as Thea Nyberg was named SSC Defensive Player of the Week and freshman Taye Newman earned SSC Runner of the Week.

Nyberg led the Eagles' back line to an unbeaten weekend over two top-10 teams. Embry-Riddle beat #2 Columbus State, and drew with #7 West Florida. Nyberg played all 90 minutes in each of the two games. #2 Columbus State had 12 shots during the game, but only put 1 shot on goal because Nyberg blocked and disrupted numerous shots, while intercepting incisive passes from CSU on counter-attacks. On Sunday, she helped defend 15 corner kicks and was a key reason why West Florida had limited success on their set pieces.

Newman made an immediate impact in his collegiate debut, securing his first career SSC weekly honor. Competing in the rarely run 6k at the Swan City Cross Country Classic, the freshman claimed the individual title in a program-record time of 18:19.6.