USL PRO News Release
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
TAMPA, Fla. – USL PRO announced its Team of the Week for the fourth week of the 2012 season today, honoring Charlotte Eagles defender Luke Williams as Player of the Week after a pair of strong performances in Antigua, one of which led to Charlotte’s first victory of the season on Saturday night.
Williams, pictured center, came on as a substitute in the Eagles’ first contest against Antigua Barracuda FC on Thursday night with his side trailing 3-1, and made an impact throughout the closing stages. He was rewarded with a goal in the 78th minute, and almost found an equalizer with less than 10 minutes to go as his forward runs down the left side caused the Barracudas problems.
Williams continued to find success on Saturday night, moving into the starting lineup, and it was his cross in the sixth minute that was turned into his own net by Antigua defender Luke Blakely. The goal allowed the Eagles to take their first lead of the season, and Williams continued to link up well before being substituted with 20 minutes remaining, helping his side earn a shutout and its first win of the season.
Williams was joined on the Team of the Week by teammate Jorge Herrera, who had a pair of strong games against Antigua, including a spectacular free kick that brought his side even in its Thursday encounter. Herrera was joined in the midfield by Richmond’s Luke Vercollone, who played a key role in the Kickers’ 0-0 draw against Orlando City, and Charleston’s Nicki Paterson, whose second goal of the season lifted the Battery to a 1-0 win against Pittsburgh on Friday night.
Paterson’s teammate Andrew Dykstra took the goalkeeper position after recording four saves to earn a shutout against the Riverhounds, while George Kyriazis helped Rochester stifle the Dayton Dutch Lions’ attack.
In attack, Stefan Smith took the league lead with four goals after his second two-goal game of the season in Antigua’s 3-2 win against Charlotte on Thursday night, while Wilmington’s Andriy Budnyy and Rochester’s J.C. Banks both had decisive goals in their teams’ victories on Saturday night.
USL PRO Team of the Week
| Pos | Player | Team | Highlights |
| GK | Andrew Dykstra | Charleston | Had four saves, including key stops late, in Battery’s 1-0 win |
| D | Luke Williams | Charlotte | Was dynamic in both games against Antigua, keying victory |
| D | George Kyriazis | Rochester | Strong presence at center back as Rhinos took third victory |
| D | William Yomby | Richmond | Helped shut out Orlando for first time this season |
| D | Kyle Davies | Orlando | Put in solid performance to help Lions earn point |
| M | Nicki Paterson | Charleston | Second goal of season earned Battery third victory |
| M | Jorge Herrera | Charlotte | Was focal point of Eagles’ attack; scored on standout free kick |
| M | Luke Vercollone | Richmond | Strong midfield performance limited Orlando’s chances |
| F | Stefan Smith | Antigua | Took the division lead with two goals in Thursday’s victory |
| F | Andriy Budnyy | Wilmington | Scored goal, was unlucky not to have more, in Hammerheads’ win |
| F | J.C. Banks | Rochester | Scored only goal, his second of season, to keep Rhinos perfect |
Honorable Mention – Charleston: John Wilson, Sallieu Bundu; Dayton: Nixon Dias, Gibson Bardsley; Orlando: James O’Connor, Kevin Molino; Pittsburgh: Louie Rolko, Hunter Gilstrap; Richmond: Edson Elcock; Rochester: Kristian Nicht; Wilmington: Alex Horwath.