IRVING, Texas – The American Athletic Conference has announced the winners of the league’s weekly men’s soccer honors, for the week ending Sunday, October 17.
Offensive Player of the Week
Shion Soga * Fr. * M * South Florida
Soga picked up a three-point showing for South Florida to cool off Memphis 2-1 in conference play on Oct. 15. All three of Soga’s shot attempts against the Tigers found frame, which included the match’s first goal at 24:31 to give USF a 1-0 lead. Soga later served up the primary assist to Ben Kaplan on the match-winning goal at 47:19 to push the Bulls ahead 2-0.
Defensive Player of the Week
Til Zinnhardt * Jr. * D * Tulsa
Zinnhardt put in a successful shift for No. 8/7 Tulsa in a 2-1 win over Temple on Oct. 16, contributing to the Golden Hurricane defense that yielded just four total shots (three on goal) in the match. Zinnhardt chipped in on the offensive side of the pitch for Tulsa in the 60th minute, scoring his first goal of the season to provide the match-winning tally at 59:26 and the 2-1 advantage.
Goalkeeper of the Week
Kazuna Takase * Jr. * GK * South Florida
Takase repeated as the conference’s top weekly goalkeeper after cooling off red-hot Memphis in a 2-1 victory on Oct. 15. Takase shined with eight saves against the Tigers, including six in the second half alone, to keep South Florida in front and help lift the Bulls to the league win.
Rookie of the Week
Ben Kaplan * Fr. * D * South Florida
Kaplan picked an opportune time to score his first career goal at South Florida, delivering the winning goal for the Bulls in a 2-1 triumph over Memphis on Oct. 15. Kaplan’s only shot attempt in his full 90 minutes of playing time was on the mark, as the freshman defender’s first career goal from Shion Soga at 47:19 pushed USF in front 2-0 and ultimately lifted the Bulls over the line at match’s end.
Weekly Honor Roll
Caleb Franke * Sr. * M * UCF
Scored first goal as a member of UCF during a 2-1 win at No. 24/14 SMU on Oct. 16; found the back of the net at 58:56 to tie the match for the Knights against the Mustangs
Tyler Lavigne * R-Sr. * GK * UCF
Stood tall in goal for UCF in a second straight ranked win, as the Knights downed No. 24/14 SMU 2-1 on Oct. 16; turned aside four shot attempts in the UCF win
Mauricio Villalobos * Sr. * M * UCF
Notched first goal of the season in UCF’s 2-1 win at No. 24/14 SMU on Oct. 16; notched the match-winning goal for the Knights at 69:15 to push UCF ahead for good
Brandon Terwege * Gr. * D * SMU
Attempted a team-high four shots (three on goal) and scored the only goal for No. 24/14 SMU in a 2-1 setback against UCF on Oct. 16; put the Mustangs in front with a goal at 25:17 to give the hosts an early lead