Thomas Named Southern Conference Forward of the Year
Chattanooga junior Paige Thomas is the first player to receive the award under the conference's revamped postseason award format.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Soccer
The Southern Conference named Chattanooga junior Paige Thomas its Forward of the Year, and announced its 2026 women's soccer All-Conference Team, which includes Chattanooga sophomores Quinn Johnson, Emma Reeves, and Reese Wilson. The honors came as Chattanooga finished the season on a 10-game unbeaten streak.
Why it matters
The recognition highlights a record-setting season for the Mocs and sets up a conference quarterfinal against Tennessee Tech on Sunday evening. Thomas's selection under the new award format marks the first time the honor has been given under the revised system.
Thomas's nine goals and eight conference goals reflect her scoring output in league play, while Johnson's 24 points lead the Mocs. The quarterfinal outcome against Tennessee Tech remains unknown at the time of this report.
The players
Paige Thomas
Paige Thomas is a junior forward for Chattanooga from Green Brook, N.J., who was named the conference's first Forward of the Year under its revamped postseason award format.
Quinn Johnson
Quinn Johnson is a sophomore for Chattanooga who led the team in points and was named to the Southern Conference All-Conference First Team.
The details
Thomas recorded a hat trick against Western Carolina and a brace at VMI in the same week, earning Southern Conference and Tennessee Sports Writers Association Player of the Week honors. The all-conference teams were announced by the Southern Conference league office.
Timeline
The 2026 season concluded with Chattanooga's 10-game unbeaten streak and the conference award announcements.
Chattanooga plays Tennessee Tech in the Southern Conference Championships quarterfinal on Sunday evening.
Season Trajectory
Thomas's selection is the first under the Southern Conference's revamped postseason award format, establishing the initial recipient under the new system. Chattanooga's 10-game unbeaten run sets up a conference quarterfinal that will shape the Mocs' postseason path.
Fantasy and recruiting observers can track Thomas and Johnson's production as Chattanooga enters the conference tournament. The Sunday quarterfinal against Tennessee Tech determines whether the Mocs advance further in the postseason.
The takeaway
The honors reflect a season in which Chattanooga's scoring and defense carried the team through league play. Readers following women's college soccer can watch the Mocs' postseason run as the quarterfinal approaches.
What happens next
Chattanooga plays Tennessee Tech in the Southern Conference Championships quarterfinal on Sunday evening.
Further reading
Explore more Chattanooga soccer coverage for context on the Mocs' season.
