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. 21.
Offensive Player of the Week
Abdou Mbacke Thiam * Sr. * F * UConn
Mbacke Thiam generated seven points for No. 20 UConn in a 2-0 week that propelled the Huskies to sole possession of first place in the league standings. Against Boston College on Oct. 16, the senior forward buried the first goal of the game and followed with an assist on the second as UConn prevailed 3-2. Mbacke Thiam then netted both goals for UConn against Temple on Saturday, turning a 0-1 deficit into a 2-1 victory with his game-winner in the 88
th minute. For the season, Mbacke Thiam owns 11 goals and four assists and ranks second in NCAA active career goals with 40.
Defensive Player of the Week
Ben Roberts * Jr. * D * Memphis
Roberts and the Memphis defense collected its fifth shutout of the season on Saturday, edging Tulsa 1-0 in overtime to earn three conference points. The Tigers held the Golden Hurricane to just seven shots, less than half its season average, with only three on target through 92 minutes. Roberts notched a shot in the victory.
Goalkeeper of the Week
Yannik Oettl * So. * UCF
Oettl totaled 11 saves on a 2-0 week for No. 19 UCF. After making three stops in the Knights’ 5-1 dismantling of FGCU on Oct. 16, the sophomore set a new season-high with seven saves against USF on Saturday. His performance helped propel UCF to a crucial 2-1 win in the War on I4. Oettl has now earned the decision in every game for the Knights this season, owning a 10-2-2 record in net.
Rookie of the Week
Gurman Sangha * Fr. * M * Memphis
Sangha netted his first career goal in pivotal fashion, scoring in the 92
nd minute to give Memphis a 1-0 conference win over Tulsa. The freshman collected the rebound from Chris Mikus’ original shot and capitalized for the golden goal. The victory marked the Tigers’ first win over Tulsa since 2011.
Weekly Honor Roll
Cal Jennings * Jr. * F * UCF
Posted four goals on the week, including his third hat trick of the season in UCF’s 5-1 win over FGCU; broke the American Athletic Conference single-season goal record with 18 so far on the year
Andres Hernandez Betancur * Fr. * D * UCF
Recorded his first career point with the assist to Walker Dawkins for the game-winner against USF of Saturday
Chris Mikus * R-So. * M * Memphis
Earned the assist on Gurman Sangha’s game-winner in overtime against Tulsa on Saturday
Akean Shackleford * Jr. * F * SMU
Scored SMU’s final two goals on Saturday to lift the Mustangs to a 3-1 win over Cincinnati
Elias Hellgren Villegas * Fr. * F * Temple
Posted five points in two games for Temple last week, including a goal and an assist against Pitt and a goal against UConn