NEWARK, N.J. — NJIT Women's Soccer sophomore forward Maria Nogueira was named America East Offensive Player of the Week by the conference on Tuesday afternoon.

After missing the first four games of the season with an injury, Nogueira made an immediate impact in her first two games this weekend, scoring once in both victories (3-0 vs LIU on August 31 and 3-2 against FDU on September 3). The Cascais, Portugal native netted NJIT's second goal in the shutout against the Sharks and scored the game-winner as the Highlanders rallied from two goals down against the Knights.

Nogueira's offensive production is even more noteworthy given that she scored just once in 14 appearances as a freshman in 2022.

The award for Nogueira is her first career America East honor, NJIT's fifth-ever Offensive Player of the Week accolade, and the program's 14th weekly award overall since joining the conference in July 2020. She joins teammate Gabby Zalot as award winners in 2023 after Zalot picked up the first Offensive Player of the Week honor of the season on August 21 after her record-setting performance against Saint Peter's.

Vermont's Erin Murphy (Defensive) and Maine's Abbey Thornton (Rookie) earned this week's other America East awards. 

NJIT will play the third of its four-game homestand on Thursday, September 7 at 7 p.m. against La Salle. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.

NJIT AMERICA EAST WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS
All-Time - 14: Offensive - 5 | Defensive - 5 | Rookie - 4

2023
Sept. 5 - Maria Nogueira, Offensive Player of the Week
Aug. 21 - Gabby Zalot, Offensive Player of the Week

2022
Oct. 24 - Riley Jones, Rookie of the Week
Oct. 17 - Riley Jones, Rookie of the Week
Oct. 10 - Briana Andreoli, Rookie of the Week
Aug. 29 - Molly Saylor, Defensive Player of the Week
Aug. 22 - Ciara Adams, Offensive Player of the Week

2021
Oct. 25 - Madison Taibl, Defensive Player of the Week
Oct. 18 - Molly Saylor, Defensive Player of the Week
Sept. 7 - Bailey Chant, Offensive Player of the Week
Sept. 7 - Siani Magruder, Defensive Player of the Week

2020
Mar. 2, '21 - Molly Saylor, Defensive Player of the Week
Feb. 23, '21 - Corbin Reifschneider, Offensive Player of the Week
Feb. 23, '21 - Corbin Reifschneider, Rookie of the Week