Stony Brook's Reilly Rich has won the National Player of the Week honors from TopDrawerSoccer.com. The women's soccer standout was outstanding as she led Stony Brook past one of the top teams in the Ivy League, 5-3. The Yale Bulldogs watched her score a hat trick with three goals against them to lead the Wolves.
Rich put the first goal on the board with a left-footed strike in the 24th minute. Then she made a highlight play, so much so that she had a spot on ESPN's SportsCenter for the goal. Her second goal bent into the top right corner from 25 yards out to earn the fourth spot on SportsCenter Top 10 last week. The graduate forward completed the hat trick with a 75th-minute goal on a cross-body shot at the top of the box that found the right side of the twine. The Seawolves' leading scorer has eight goals through eight matches to pace the CAA and rank third in the nation. Her 18 points are also fifth in NCAA Division I. Rich's scoring has led Stony Brook to an average of nearly 3 goals per game, which sits 15th in the country.
Beyond her scoring prowess, Rich has become a pivotal leader on and off the field. Teammates credit her work ethic and vision for elevating the entire squad’s performance. In addition to her goal-scoring, she has assisted on three other Stony Brook goals this season, showcasing her ability to create opportunities for others. Her influence extends into clutch moments, consistently delivering in high-pressure situations and demonstrating composure that belies her years. Coaches say her leadership is helping younger players develop faster, making her impact both immediate and long-lasting.