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. 3.
Offensive Player of the Week
Garrett McLaughlin * So. * F * SMU
McLaughlin provided the offensive charge for SMU last week, scoring five points over two games and leading the Mustangs to the SMU Tournament title. The forward scored three points (one goal, one assist) and had a hand in each goal Friday in the 2-1 win over Oakland. McLaughlin finished the week by scoring the second goal in a 3-0 shutout of Cornell on Sunday.
Defensive Player of the Week
Nkosi Burgess * R-So. * B * UConn
Burgess was a key part of the UConn defensive line that held Quinnipiac to two shots, including none in overtime, and limited No. 9/10 Notre Dame to four shots last week. The Huskies allowed just one goal in 180+ minutes of action in two games over the week.
Goalkeeper of the Week
Scott Levene * R-Sr. * UConn
Levene made four saves last week, including three against No. 9/10 Notre Dame, and posted a shutout win over Quinnipiac. The redshirt senior played every minute in the post last week and has made 55 consecutive starts for UConn, one short of tying Andre Blake for the second-longest streak in program history.
Rookie of the Week
Adrian Billhardt * Fr. * F * USF
Billhardt scored four points last week, including three against No. 17/21 Butler in the adidas/IU Credit Classic hosted by No. 7/5 Indiana. Billhardt had an assist in USF’s 3-0 win over Lipscomb on Monday, and scored a goal and added an assist Friday in a 3-2 overtime loss to the 17
th ranked Bulldogs. Billhardt was named to the adidas/IU Credit Classic All-Tournament team for his efforts in the event.
Weekly Honor Roll
David Sanz * So. * M * Cincinnati
Scored five points, two goals and an assist, in a 1-1 week for Cincinnati
Abdou Mbacke Thiam * Jr. * F * UConn
Scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 (OT) win over Quinnipiac
Blaise N’Gague * Fr. * M * UConn
Helped keep No. 9/10 Notre Dame scoreless for 83 minutes, played primary on the backline in the matchup
Gabriel Pfeffer * Sr. * B * USF
Was part of the backline that helped USF earn a 3-0 shutout win over Lipscomb in the season opener
Mark Grasela * R-Sr. * B * Temple
Scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 win at Villanova last Tuesday