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, Sept. 18.
Offensive Player of the Week
Jorge Gomez Sanchez * Sr. * F * Temple
Gomez Sanchez finished with 11 points in a pair of games for Temple last week. The senior scored both goals in the Owls’ matchup vs. Drexel on Tuesday and finished the week with a hat trick and an assist in Saturday’s 4-0 win over Fairfield.
Defensive Player of the Week
Prosper Figbe * So. * B * USF
Figbe led the USF backline in a pair of shutouts last week against North Florida and Buffalo, two teams receiving votes in the NSCAA Top 25. Figbe played the duration each match and helped the Bulls limit Buffalo, a team that leads the nation in total goals, points and shutouts, to six shots.
Goalkeeper of the Week
Pedro Diaz * R-Jr. * Cincinnati
Diaz recorded two wins and a pair of shutouts last week, totaling 10 saves in 180 minutes of action in the net. He collected his third clean sheet of the season in the process, tying for first in the league in that category. Diaz also leads the conference in save percentage and saves per game.
Rookie of the Week
Burke Fahling * Fr. * F * Memphis
Fahling scored the game-winning goal against Houston Baptist on Sunday, his first career score. The rookie started both games for Memphis last week and helped the Tigers remain perfect at home with wins over the Huskies and SIU Edwardsville.
Weekly Honor Roll
Matias Pyysalo * Jr. * M * UCF
Scored twice and added an assist in UCF’s 4-1 win over Jacksonville on Saturday
Adam Wilson * So. * M * Cincinnati
Posted an assist in back-to-back matches to help Cincinnati go 2-0 during the week
Abdou Mbacke Thiam * So. * F * UConn
Scored twice in UConn’s 5-1 victory over Loyola (Md.) after missing the previous two matches due to injury
Carlos Hurtado * Jr. * B * Memphis
Led the Tigers with three points (one goal, one assist) in Sunday’s win over Houston Baptist
Spasoje Stefanovic * Sr. * GK * USF
Made eight saves and turned in consecutive shutouts in 171 minutes of action last week