IRVING, Texas – The American Athletic Conference has announced the winners of the league’s weekly men’s soccer awards for the week ending Sunday, September 25.
Offensive Player of the Week
Knut Ahlander, Gr., MF, SMU
Ahlander helped the Mustangs pick up their first conference win of the season, leading SMU to a 6-4 win over FIU. Ahlander was responsible for two goals in the win over the Panthers.
Defensive Player of the Week
Henry Sach, Sr., D, Tulsa
Sach anchored the backline for the Hurricane to two clean sheets against No. 17 Missouri State and No. 12 Charlotte. Tulsa allowed just seven shots on goal in the two matches against top 25 opponents.
Goalkeeper of the Week
Alex Lopez, So., GK, Tulsa
Lopez was perfect for Tulsa this week, finishing with two clean sheets against top 25 opponents in No. 17 Missouri State and No. 12 Charlotte. Lopez came away with five saves on the week.
Rookie of the Week
Alberto Cruz Jr., Fr., F, Memphis
Cruz came away with two game-winning goals for Memphis to help the Tigers go 2-0 on the week. He made the game-winning goal against Central Arkansas in the 88
th minute and in the 70
th minute with a penalty kick against UCF.
Weekly Honor Roll
Andreas Raisanen, Fr., F, FAU
Raisanen guided the Owls to their first American Athletic Conference win, scoring the game-winning goal in the 80
th minute against UAB.
Lineker Rodrigues dos Santos, So., MF, Memphis
Rodrigues dos Santos finished with five points on the week, scoring two goals in a win over Central Arkansas, while assisting in a goal over UCF.
Brian Schaefer, So., D, South Florida
Schaefer anchored the South Florida backline to allowing just three shots on goal in the win over Temple. He also scored the game-tying goal.
Nikola Djordjevic, So., M, SMU
Djordjevic played in 79 minutes of the Mustangs 6-4 win over FIU, where he came away with three assists in the victory.
Malik Henry-Scott, Jr., Tulsa
Henry-Scott started Tulsa off with goals in both matches as he scored the first goal against No. 17 Missouri State and No. 12 Charlotte.