PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The American Athletic Conference has announced the winners of the league’s weekly men’s soccer honors for the week ending Sunday, Oct. 16.
Offensive Player of the Week
Ryan Melink * R-Fr. * M * Cincinnati
Melink finished with six points for Cincinnati and led the Bearcats offense in an undefeated week. The midfielder tallied three points - a goal and an assist - in wins over IUPUI and Temple. Cincinnati picked up its eighth win of the season with the victory over the Owls and surpassed its entire win total from last year in the process.
Defensive Player of the Week
Prosper Figbe * So. * B * USF
Figbe led the USF backline Saturday in a 1-0 shutout at No. 24/13 UConn. The sophomore center back broke up several Husky chances as the Bulls defense held UConn scoreless in 90 minutes of action. The win pushed USF into a three-way tie for first in the American standings.
Goalkeeper of the Week
Pedro Diaz * R-Jr. * Cincinnati
Diaz recorded two shutouts and two wins last week as Cincinnati notched its eighth win of the season and moved into a three-way tie for first in league standings. Diaz made 11 saves in the 2-0 week, including a season-high seven against Temple. He now has seven shutouts on the year.
Rookie of the Week
Matthew Puig * Fr. * F * Tulsa
Puig led Tulsa with two goals last week as the Hurricane defeated No. 6/5 Creighton and UCF at home. Puig had a team-best six shots in 78 minutes, and scored the game-winning goal in the 89
th minute against the Bluejays. He added his second goal of the week in the 81
st minute in Saturday’s 3-2 win over the Knights.
Weekly Honor Roll
Daniel Oginni * Fr. * M * Cincinnati
Finished with three points in a 2-0 week for Cincinnati
Abdou Mbacke Thiam * So. * F * UConn
Scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 win at Yale
Melvin Becket * Sr. * F * USF
Scored two goals for the Bulls last week, including the game-winning tally in Saturday’s win over UConn
Spasoje Stefanovic * Sr. * GK * USF
Made four saves and recorded fifth shutout of the season in a 1-0 win over UConn
Garrett McLaughlin * Fr. * F * SMU
Led the SMU offense with three points in Saturday’s win over Memphis