Ilaya Bigford 2023 Headshot

Ilaya Bigford

  • Award
    Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
  • Week Of
    9/12/2023
  • Sport
    Women's Soccer
  • School
    UNC Pembroke
  • Year
    Senior
  • Position
  • Hometown
    Richlands, N.C.
  • High School
    Richlands HS

A senior from Richlands, North Carolina, Ilaya Bigford of UNC Pembroke helped her team to an impressive defensive performance in a conference-opening 5-0 win over Converse on Sept. 9. 

Bigford was a huge part of a UNC Pembroke defensive unit that limited Converse to just one shot in the match. She was one of just two for UNC Pembroke to play the entire 90 minutes.