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. 25.
Offensive Player of the Week
Rollie Rocha * Jr. * M * Tulsa
Rocha scored two goals last week – one in each game – leading Tulsa to an undefeated week. The junior scored in the Hurricane’s 2-1 (OT) win over Santa Clara on Sept. 19 and added a goal in the 3-0 conference opening win over SMU.
Defensive Player of the Week
Jake Nerwinski * Sr. * B * UConn
Nerwinski led the UConn backline in a pair of wins last week, including a shutout of conference foe Temple on Saturday. The senior opened the week by scoring the game-winning goal at Rhode Island on Wednesday. He later helped the Huskies notch its third shutout of the year with the 1-0 win over Temple on Saturday.
Goalkeeper of the Week
Scott Levene * R-Jr. * UConn
Levene earned two wins last week, including a shutout in UConn’s conference opening match against Temple. Levene made 11 saves with just one goal allowed in 180 minutes of action in the net. He picked up his third shutout of the season with the win over the Owls.
Rookie of the Week
Daniel Oginni * Fr. * M * Cincinnati
Oginni tallied three points in a 2-0 week for Cincinnati. With the score tied 1-1 with six minutes to play, Oginni scored the game-winning goal in the Bearcats’ 2-1 win over Memphis on Saturday. He also added an assist in the win over the Tigers.
Weekly Honor Roll
Pedro Diaz * Jr. * GK * Cincinnati
Recorded fourth shutout of the year in 2-0 win over Thomas More, made nine saves in two games last week
Abdou Mbacke Thiam * So. * F * UConn
Scored a goal in each game last week leading UConn to a 2-0 week
Gonzalo Rodriguez * So. * M * USF
Scored game-winning goal in 2-1 win over UCF, added an assist for three points vs. the Knights
Emil Cuello * So. * M * SMU
Had two goals, including the game-winner in OT, in SMU’s 4-3 win over then No. 16 Akron
Matthew Puig * Fr. * F * Tulsa
Scored the game-winning tally in the 96
th minute in Tulsa’s 2-1 win over Santa Clara