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. 15.
Offensive Player of the Week
Sam Ashton * Sr. * F * Memphis
Ashton provided all three goals for Memphis in the Tigers’ 3-2 double-overtime victory at No. 11 Xavier on Saturday. His hat trick marked the first for a Memphis player since 2015, and the win for the Tigers was the first over a ranked opponent since 2011. Ashton converted on a penalty kick to even the score in the 48th minute, and then completed the comeback with the final two goals of the game, including the game-winner in the 109th minute.
Defensive Player of the Week
Javain Brown * So. * D * USF
Brown was a key part of a USF defense that gave up just one goal in a 2-0-0 week, including a 2-0 shutout over No. 20/5 Louisville. The Bulls completed the week with a 3-1 victory at Lipscomb, and for the week allowed just nine total shots on goal. Brown and USF’s defense permitted just eight shots from Louisville, the lowest total for the Cardinals on the season. USF’s 3-1-0 start marks the best beginning for the program since 2012.
Goalkeeper of the Week
Harrison Devenish-Meares * Jr. * USF
Devenish-Meares played all 180 minutes for USF on the week, picking up a pair of wins as the Bulls rose to 3-1-0. He made five saves in USF’s 2-0 win over No. 20/5 Louisville, earning his first shutout of the season before turning aside three shots in a 3-1 win at Lipscomb. For the week, Devenish-Meares posted a 0.50 goals against average and .889 save percentage.
Rookie of the Week
Victor Claudel * Fr. * F * USF
Claudel scored his second goal of the season in prime fashion, finishing a rebound in the 19th minute to put USF up 2-0 on No. 20/5 Louisville. The Bulls went 2-0-0 on the week to rise to 3-1-0 overall. With four points, Claudel is tied for the team lead in points.
Weekly Honor Roll
Cal Jennings * Sr. * F * UCF
Played a part in both goals for UCF in the Knights’ 2-0 win over VCU, scoring the first in the 15th minute and assisting on the second in the 90th minute
Chris Mikus * R-Jr. * M * Memphis
Assisted on Memphis’ final two goals in a 3-2 double-overtime win over No. 11 Xavier, including the equalizer in the 70th minute and game-winner in the 109th minute
Emilio Ycaza * Gr. * M * USF
Netted his first two goals of the season in back-to-back fashion at Lipscomb; both scores came within 25 seconds of each other in the 55th minute to put the Bulls up 3-0
Shane Lanson * So. * GK * SMU
Made six saves as SMU remained undefeated, picking up wins over UC Riverside and Valparaiso; turned aside a penalty shot in the 78th minute against the Highlanders to preserve the 1-0 victory
Lukas Fernandes * Sr. * F * Temple
Registered his first career brace in Temple’s first victory of the year, scoring twice as the Owls defeated Lafayette 3-0; scored in the 25th minute and converted a penalty kick in the second half