Linberg Named 2026’s First SoCon Defensive Player of the Week
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Sophomore defender Trym Linberg of the UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men’s soccer team was named The Southern Conference (SoCon) Defensive Player of the Week in the first round of weekly awards this season, the Conference announced on Tuesday.
A 2025 All-Freshman selection in his first campaign with the Spartans, Linberg is off to a strong start through two games of the 2026 campaign. He tallied two assists in the 4-1 win over VCU on Aug. 20, setting up the opener and UNCG’sthird of the night. It was Linberg’s second collegiate multi-point game and already has him an assist away from matching his total as a freshman.
At the other end, Linberg has been a key piece for a UNCG defense that has allowed just nine shots on target and one goal through two games. The Bærumsverk, Norway, native was on the pitch for all 90 minutes in the 0-0 draw with San Francisco on Aug. 23 and played a key role in the Spartans’ first shutout of the season. He played 84 minutes against the Rams, helping limit VCU to just two shots on goal.
“We have a goal to be undefeated in the first five, and we’re still on that route,” said Linberg. “We’ve been playing good as a team and I’m happy to be a part of those performances, especially against VCU coming out with the win and against a good San Francisco team.”
The sophomore appeared in all 23 games for UNCG in the team’s run to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2025, logging 753 minutes and compiling a goal and three assists on nine shots. This week’s nod as Defensive Player of the Week is his first SoCon weekly award.
The Spartans are back in action on Friday, Aug. 28 as the side welcomes West Virginia to UNCG Soccer Stadium for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff.
from Davis Fields
Strategic Communications Coordinator
UNC Greensboro