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. 15.
Offensive Player of the Week
Matias Pyysalo * Sr. * M * UCF
Pyysalo scored two goals and added an assist in UCF’s 3-0 win over Tulsa on Sunday. He had a hand in every goal by the Knights, and helped UCF to only the program’s second victory over the Hurricane in 14 meetings (only prior win came in 2011 at home – 1-0). Pyysalo leads the league in points per game (2.75) and is tied for first in assists per game in conference play.
Defensive Player of the Week
Jacob Hauser-Ramsey * Jr. * B * UConn
Hauser-Ramsey was a key defender in UConn's 2-0 shutout win over USF, as the Huskies limited the Bulls to just four shots on goal. It was UConn’s seventh shutout of the season and fourth-straight in conference play. The win gave the Huskies sole possession of first place in The American.
Goalkeeper of the Week
Michael Nelson * R-Sr. * SMU
Nelson played 185:01 minutes in goal last week and combined for two shutouts - a 6-0 win over non-conference foe Northeastern on Tuesday, and a 1-0 (2OT) win over Memphis on Saturday. The redshirt senior made seven saves over the week and lowered his goal against average to 0.70 per game in league play.
Rookie of the Week
Josh Burnett * Fr. * M * UConn
Burnett gave UConn a 1-0 lead in the fourth minute at USF on Friday night, which proved to be the eventual game-winner, scoring on a breakaway pass from Abdou Mbacke Thiam. It was Burnett's first-career goal and helped give the Huskies a permanent lead in the match.
Weekly Honor Roll
David Sanz * So. * M * Cincinnati
Scored his sixth goal of the year on a PK, Cincinnati’s first PK conversion of the season, in a loss at Temple
Scott Levene * R-Sr. * GK * UConn
Posted his seventh shutout of the season and fourth in league play in a 2-0 win over USF
Mauro Cichero * Sr. * F * SMU
Scored the golden goal in the 102
nd minute in a 1-0 (2OT) win over Memphis
Talen Maples * Fr. * B * SMU
Assisted on the game-winning goal in double overtime in SMU’s 1-0 win over Memphis
Mark Grasela * R-Sr. * B * Temple
Anchored the Temple defense vs. Cincinnati, assisted on eventual game-winning goal vs. the Bearcats