11/4/2026 12:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Big South Conference announced the end-of-season awards on Wednesday at noon, with Ava Kertgate, Ciaira Anderson, Caitlyn Nottingham being recognized on the second team. Katie Purnell was also named to the league's all-academic squad.
Kertgate stepped into the leading role for the Highlanders as a senior and had a career season. She set the table on many of Radford's scoring opportunities, leading the conference with .467 assists per game and tying for the Big South lead with seven overall. Kertgate's .467 assists per game also puts her in the top 35 nationally in the category. She finished the season scoring a point in each of the Highlanders' final three games and led the team in shots (24), shots on goal (15), and had the second-most points (11) and minutes played (1,127). It's her second all-conference honor after being named all-academic in 2024.
Anderson had a breakout junior season, taking center stage in the Radford midfield after playing a supporting role her first two seasons. The Elkridge, Md. native led the Highlanders and finished tied for eighth in the conference with six goals. Her signature performance came in a hat trick performance for a 7-2 win over Emory & Henry in August. She also added an impressive goal to tie ETSU and added goals against Gardner-Webb and Presbyterian in conference play.
Nottingham came into her own to help the Highlander defense secure four shutouts in the season, including three over the final four games. Aside from goalkeeper Lexi Radvanyi, Nottingham led all defenders with 1,094 minutes played and 14 games. She also scored her third goal over the last three seasons in the regular season finale against Presbyterian. Despite playing as the team's center-back, Nottingham finished sixth on the team in shots (12) and seventh in shots on goal (7).
Purnell earned her spot on the all-academic team for the first time. The senior holds a 3.94 GPA as a Biology major and honors student and has spent the past two years researching the damage in water quality of areas impacted by Hurricane Helene. Purnell played in a career-high 15 games for the Highlanders while adding a goal in a 2-1 win over Winthrop back on September 26. She also added assists in wins over the Eagles and Presbyterian.
For the full all-conference list, visit BigSouthSports.com.
Radford is back in action tomorrow night at Cupp Stadium as the No. 4 seed of the Big South Tournament. They'll host No. 5 Gardner-Webb at 7:00 p.m. Admission to the match is free and can also be seen on ESPN+.
STAY SOCIAL WITH RADFORD WOMEN'S SOCCER
For all the latest on Radford women's soccer, be sure to follow the team on X (@RadfordWSOC), Instagram (@radfordwsoc), and "like" the team's official Facebook Page (Radford Women's Soccer).
#RiseAndDefend
Kertgate stepped into the leading role for the Highlanders as a senior and had a career season. She set the table on many of Radford's scoring opportunities, leading the conference with .467 assists per game and tying for the Big South lead with seven overall. Kertgate's .467 assists per game also puts her in the top 35 nationally in the category. She finished the season scoring a point in each of the Highlanders' final three games and led the team in shots (24), shots on goal (15), and had the second-most points (11) and minutes played (1,127). It's her second all-conference honor after being named all-academic in 2024.
Anderson had a breakout junior season, taking center stage in the Radford midfield after playing a supporting role her first two seasons. The Elkridge, Md. native led the Highlanders and finished tied for eighth in the conference with six goals. Her signature performance came in a hat trick performance for a 7-2 win over Emory & Henry in August. She also added an impressive goal to tie ETSU and added goals against Gardner-Webb and Presbyterian in conference play.
Nottingham came into her own to help the Highlander defense secure four shutouts in the season, including three over the final four games. Aside from goalkeeper Lexi Radvanyi, Nottingham led all defenders with 1,094 minutes played and 14 games. She also scored her third goal over the last three seasons in the regular season finale against Presbyterian. Despite playing as the team's center-back, Nottingham finished sixth on the team in shots (12) and seventh in shots on goal (7).
Purnell earned her spot on the all-academic team for the first time. The senior holds a 3.94 GPA as a Biology major and honors student and has spent the past two years researching the damage in water quality of areas impacted by Hurricane Helene. Purnell played in a career-high 15 games for the Highlanders while adding a goal in a 2-1 win over Winthrop back on September 26. She also added assists in wins over the Eagles and Presbyterian.
For the full all-conference list, visit BigSouthSports.com.
Radford is back in action tomorrow night at Cupp Stadium as the No. 4 seed of the Big South Tournament. They'll host No. 5 Gardner-Webb at 7:00 p.m. Admission to the match is free and can also be seen on ESPN+.
STAY SOCIAL WITH RADFORD WOMEN'S SOCCER
For all the latest on Radford women's soccer, be sure to follow the team on X (@RadfordWSOC), Instagram (@radfordwsoc), and "like" the team's official Facebook Page (Radford Women's Soccer).
#RiseAndDefend
Players Mentioned
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