photos courtesy of Member Institutions
photos courtesy of Member Institutions

Women's Soccer

DU’s Dreiling, SDSU’s Benhart claim #SummitWSOC weekly honors

Denver, South Dakota State take home first peak performer weekly awards

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Denver midfielder Samantha Dreiling and South Dakota State goalkeeper Mallorie Benhart were named the Kwik Star Summit League Women’s Soccer Peak Performers of the Week following the opening weekend of the 2025 season. Dreiling collected the offensive honor, while Benhart secured the defensive accolade, league officials announced Tuesday.
 
Dreiling stormed out of the gates in the first contest of 2025, logging two goals including the game-winner in a 2-1 DU win at Air Force. This feat marks Dreiling’s second career brace and second career game-winner.  The Centennial, Colo., native's performance also deemed her as the only DU player to have a multi-goal outing in the opener since 2011. She followed up her brace with two shots and one shot on goal in the Pioneers' 0-0 draw at Colorado College.
 
Benhart collected one save to begin her junior campaign at Missouri in a 1-1 result for the Jackrabbits. In SDSU's next match, Benhart continued to defend the net at a high level, holding No. 25 Kansas to one goal in a narrow 1-0 defeat on Sunday. The Jackrabbits' netminder posted five saves in the match including a spectacular diving save on a Jayhawk penalty kick attempt. The Lakeville, Minn., native recorded 90 minutes of action in both matches to open the 2025 season.
 
OFFENSIVE PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Samantha Dreiling, Denver
R-Sr. | MF | Centennial, Colo.
  • Recorded her second career brace and second career game-winning goal.
  • Scored Denver’s first two goals of the season in 2-1 victory at Air Force in just 53 minutes of action.
  • This is the first career Summit League weekly honor for Dreiling.
Also nominated: Natalie Enderle (North Dakota), Hannah Arnold (North Dakota State), Kendall Dobberstein (Omaha), Klarissa Vega (South Dakota), Hailee Christensen (South Dakota State), Kenzie Jacobson (St. Thomas).
 
DEFENSIVE PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Mallorie Benhart, South Dakota State
Jr. | GK | Lakeville, Minn.
  • Held No. 25 Kansas to one goal on the road in 90 minutes of action.
  • Made six total saves to open the 2025 season, including five against the Jayhawks.
  • This is the first career Summit League weekly accolade for Benhart.
Also nominated: Alina Santos (Denver), Amelia Loeffler (North Dakota), Sophie Kasel (South Dakota), Olivia Rowe (St. Thomas).
 
2025 Women’s Soccer Peak Performers of the Week
August 19
O: Samantha Dreiling, Denver
D: Mallorie Benhart, South Dakota State

#SummitWSOC