PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The American Athletic Conference has announced the winners of the league’s penultimate weekly men’s soccer honors for the week ending Sunday, Oct. 29.
Offensive Player of the Week
Matias Pyysalo * Sr. * M * UCF
Pyysalo scored the game-winning goal for the Knights in the 50th minute in a 1-0 win over Temple to keep his team alive for a berth in The American Championship. The senior finished with four points overall last week and opened the week by scoring the second goal in a 3-0 win over Florida Atlantic last Tuesday.
Defensive Player of the Week
Andreas Steineger * Jr. * B * UCF
Steineger helped the UCF backline post back-to-back shutout victories last week against Florida Atlantic and Temple. Steineger and the Knights defense limited opponents to a combined 15 shots last week.
Goalkeeper of the Week
Christian Knight * Jr. * USF
Knight played 220 minutes in the net for USF last week and recorded two shutouts. He made a career-best 15 saves in a 0-0 (2OT) draw against 12
th ranked SMU on Sunday, a conference-high and the second most saves in a single game in NCAA D1 this season. The junior made a combined 19 saves over two games last week.
Rookie of the Week
Brantley Bice * Fr. * F * Memphis
Bice scored the game-winning goal in the 87th minute to lift Memphis to a 2-1 victory on the road at UConn last Saturday. It was his second goal of the season, which is among team leaders. Bice started for Memphis and played in 60 minutes during the match.
Weekly Honor Roll
Noah Lawrence * Fr. * GK * Cincinnati
Made 11 saves in a 1-1 week for Cincinnati, including a career-high nine on the road at Tulsa
Nicolas Apostol * Fr. * B * UConn
Scored the opening goal of the match, his second career goal, in the 10th minute against Memphis
Jake Leeker * R-Sr. * GK * Memphis
Made a game-high seven saves in Memphis’ 2-1 victory at UConn last Saturday
Alec Velez * Sr. * M * Memphis
Scored the equalizing goal, his first tally of the season, in the 63
rd minute in the Tigers’ win over UConn
Michael Nelson * R-Sr. * GK * SMU
Posted his third shutout in league play, made seven saves in a 0-0 (2OT) draw at USF