IRVING, Texas – The American Athletic Conference has announced the winners of the league’s weekly men’s soccer honors, for the week ending Sunday, April 11.
Offensive Players of the Week
Amir Cohen * So. * M * Temple
Cohen enjoyed an impactful offensive week for Temple as the Owls qualified for the semifinals of the American Men’s Soccer Championship for the third time in four seasons. Cohen scored the match-winning goal at 97:13 in the first overtime of a 3-2 Temple win over Memphis on April 6. He added the first goal of a three-goal flurry over the final 10 minutes of action in a 2-1 win at SMU on April 10.
Defensive Player of the Week
Yanis Leerman * Jr. * D * UCF
Leerman and the UCF back line closed the regular season on a high note, shutting out Memphis 3-0 on April 9 to clinch the conference regular-season championship for the third straight season. The Knights held the Tigers scoreless despite seven shot attempts on target.
Goalkeeper of the Week
Yannik Oettl * Sr. * GK * UCF
Oettl equaled Tulsa’s Lucas Cline with his fifth solo clean sheet of the season against Memphis on April 9, stopping seven shots to blank the Tigers. Oettl turned away five shot attempts from Memphis in the second half to preserve the UCF lead.
Rookie of the Week
Harvey Castro * Fr. * M * SMU
Castro tallied his first career goal as part of a 3-0 shutout win against Tulsa on April 6. Castro attempted three total shots during the victory against the Golden Hurricane. He added two shot attempts against Temple on April 10.
Weekly Honor Roll
Gino Vivi * So. * F * UCF
Scored the bookend goals in a 3-0 win over Memphis on April 9 to secure the regular-season conference championship and top tournament seed for UCF; found the back of the net at 24:43 and 63:17 for his third and fourth goals of the year
Skage Simonsen * Jr. * M * SMU
Led The American with a pair of goals and one assist in a 1-1 week for SMU; assisted on the match-winning goal in the 25th minute and notched an insurance goal at 85:42 in a 3-0 shutout of Tulsa on April 6
Lucas Cline * Jr. * GK * Tulsa
Made a total of 12 saves during a 1-1 week for Tulsa; stopped five shots in a 1-0 shutout of USF on April 9
Mariano Fazio * Jr. * D * Tulsa
Scored the match-winning goal for Tulsa in a 1-0 win over USF on April 9; helped limit the Bulls to five shots on goal during the contest
Pierre Cayet * Sr. * D * Temple
Logged one assist and helped anchor Temple back line in a pair of overtime victories; served up the primary assist on the second goal of a 3-2 win at Memphis on April 6