PDL Feature
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
When Andrew Farrell arrived at Louisville, it was as an attacking midfielder capable of unlocking defenses with a finely executed pass, or finishing a chance himself.
For the final nine games of the Cardinals’ 2011 season, however, Farrell undertook a new role at the heart of Ken Lolla’s defense. Unsurprisingly to those who have seen him play, he quickly made it his own, earning Preseason Big East Defender of the Year honors this fall, and this week taking his second consecutive Big East Defender of the Week award after two standout performances for the Cardinals.
Farrell, who played this summer in the PDL for both the IMG Bradenton Academics and the River City Rovers, scored in each of the Cardinals’ victories last week. He first opened the scoring in a 2-1 victory against South Florida that aired nationally on ESPNU last Wednesday, and then notched the game-winning goal on Saturday night against Villanova in a victory that clinched the Red Division title and moved the Cardinals up to No. 8 in the NCAA RPI rankings.
The junior, who last year was selected as the Super-20 League North American Finals MVP as a member of the Columbus Crew Juniors’ championship-winning side, now has four goals and an assist this season for the Cardinals. After helping Louisville reach the NCAA Men’s Championship Game in 2010 as a freshman, Farrell will be at the forefront as the Cardinals try to claim their first national championship.
Farrell’s performance also earned him a berth on the TopDrawerSoccer.com Team of the Week, where he was joined by the New Orleans Jesters’ Patrick Mullins after the Maryland standout had a goal and two assists to help keep the No. 1 Terrapins undefeated. Mullins also shared the ACC Player of the Week award with Sounders FC U23 standout Sean Okoli, who had a hat trick in Wake Forest’s 3-1 victory against North Carolina State last Friday night.
Another former Crew Juniors standout, Cole DeNormandie, joined Farrell in being honored by the Big East, with the Cincinnati striker earning the conference’s Offensive Player of the Week award. DeNormandie had two goals and two assists, playing a role in each of the Bearcats’ goals as they took a 3-3 draw against DePaul, and then scoring an 88th-minute game-winner in a 1-0 win against Rutgers.
Reading United’s Jose Gomez claimed honors for the second consecutive week, with the Creighton standout being named the Missouri Valley Conference’s Offensive Player of the Week after recording a goal and assist in a 3-0 win against UMKC. Gomez leads the Bluejays in points and assists this season.
The Jersey Express’ Ansger Otto claimed the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference’s Offensive Player of the Week award after scoring three goals and adding an assist for Iona in a thrilling 6-5 victory against Rider. After recording nine goals and four assists in the past two seasons for the Express, Otto’s hat trick was his first in college soccer.
Former Chicago Fire PDL forward Domenic Barone claimed the Big Ten’s Offensive Player of the Week award as he led Michigan State to a pair of victories, scoring in both a 1-0 victory against Oakland and a 2-0 win against Wisconsin.
Former Des Moines Menace goalkeeper Kyle Zobeck took the Horizon League’s Defensive Player of the Week award after helping Valparaiso to a pair of victories. Zobeck recorded seven saves as the Crusaders claimed a 2-1 victory against Northern Illinois, and then recorded a shutout as Valpo handed Detroit its first conference defeat of the season on Sunday.
Former New Orleans Jesters’ forward Reece Wilson claimed Co-Player of the Week honors in the Northeast Conference as the English forward recorded five points in a pair of victories for Central Connecticut State. Wilson had a goal and an assist in a 4-1 victory against Mount St. Mary’s before finding the back of the net against in-state rival Sacred Heart on Sunday as the Blue Devils took a pair of victories.