PDL Feature
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
TAMPA, Fla. – Northwestern’s contingent from the Chicago Fire PDL continued to play a key role this past weekend, with Chris Ritter being the latest to step up as the Wildcats moved up to No. 7 in the latest set of NSCAA Division I rankings. Ritter, a graduate of the Fire Academy, had the game-winning goal in each of the Wildcats’ victories this past weekend to lead the PDL alumni taking national and conference honors for their performances in the past week.
Ritter was named the TopDrawerSoccer.com Player of the Week as Northwestern extended its winning streak to six games thanks in part to his first two goals of the season. The senior, who was also the third consecutive Wildcat to earn Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors, opened the scoring in a 3-0 victory against St. Mary’s on Friday night, and then converted from the penalty spot in a 2-1 win against Fairleigh Dickinson, which earned him MVP honors at the Lakeside Classic.Ritter’s teammate with the Fire PDL, Harrison Shipp, claimed CollegeSoccerNews.com’s Player of the Week honor after he led Notre Dame to a win and a draw during the week. Shipp scored the game-winning goal as the Irish took a 3-0 win against Michigan, and then scored the equalizer as his side earned a 1-1 draw on the road against Boston College.
A number of PDL players joined Ritter on the TDS Team of the Week, with Houston Dutch Lions defender Bradley Bourgeois earning selection as he played a key role in Tulsa’s 4-0 win against Valparaiso, where the Golden Hurricane limited their opponents to four shots. Bourgeois also claimed Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance. He was joined by former Orange County Blue Star defender Steve Birnbaum of Cal, who scored in both of the Bears’ victories against Colgate and the College of Charleston.
The Ventura County Fusion’s Connor Drechsler was also selected as he helped Cal Poly extend its undefeated streak to four games. The senior scored in both contests as the Mustangs defeated San Francisco and Yale. The Ottawa Fury’s Abe Keller earned selection as the midfielder led Dayton to wins against Ohio State and IUPUI with three assists in two games.
The Baltimore Bohemians’ Geaton Caltabiano, who had 15 points in 14 games this summer, earned his selection after he recorded two goals and two assists in a pair of wins for UMBC. The Retrievers took a 3-2 overtime victory against Navy last Tuesday, and then defeated Loyola, Md., which Caltabiano previously played for, 3-1 on Sunday afternoon. Caltabiano also claimed the America East Player of the Week award, joining Bohs and UMBC teammate Pete Caringi, who has twice won the award this season.
In conference honors, former PDL standout Patrick Mullins was named ACC Player of the Week after he scored twice in Maryland’s 3-1 victory against Clemson. A standout for the New Orleans Jesters, Mullins is the reigning MAC Hermann Trophy holder, and now has four goals and three assists this fall.
The Portland Timbers U-23s Mark Sherrod, a 2012 PDL All-League selection, earned American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors as he had a goal and an assist in Memphis’ 2-0 victory against Cincinnati in the Tigers’ opening conference contest. He was joined by Reading United’s Jimmy Ockford, who took Defensive Player of the Week as Louisville shut out Central Florida 3-0.
Sherrod’s teammate with the Timbers U-23s, Eric Miller, was named Big East Defensive Player of the Week as the U.S. U20 international led Creighton to a 1-0 victory against St. John’s in its conference opener. The Real Boston Rams’ Fabio Machado was also honored as he earn the Big East Offensive Player of the Week award after he scored both goals in Providence’s 2-0 win against Boston University to keep the Friars undefeated (5-0-2).
Austin Aztex goalkeeper Devin Cook, who helped his side claim the 2013 PDL Championship, was named the Big South’s Defensive Player of the Week as he recorded a pair of shutouts as Coastal Carolina claimed a pair of victories. Cook made three saves in a 4-0 win against Presbyterian, and four in a 1-0 win against then No. 5 Virginia Commonwealth as the Chanticleers upset the Rams.
OC Blues Strikers forward Enrique Cardenas claimed Big West Offensive Player of the Week as UC Irvine upset No. 11 UCLA 3-1. Cardenas had a pair of goals, including the game-winner, to give him four goals this season. He was joined by former Ogden Outlaws goalkeeper K.C. John, who took Defensive Player of the Week honors after he recorded 11 saves across a pair of contests for UC Riverside. John had five saves in a 1-1 draw against Cal State Bakersfield, and then six as the Highlanders took a 2-1 win against UNLV.
K-W United goalkeeper Darrin MacLeod claimed the Missouri Valley Conference’s Defensive Player of the Week honors as he recorded back-to-back shutouts in his first two starts for Drake. The freshman had a standout performance as the Bulldogs took a 1-0 victory against No. 14 New Mexico as he made six saves for the program’s first win against a ranked program since 2009.
Former Western Mass Pioneers goalkeeper Borja Angoitia was named the MAAC’s Defensive Player of the Week as the Quinnipiac junior recorded 10 saves in a 0-0 draw against Army for his second consecutive shutout.
Former North Sound SeaWolves forward Jesse Klug claimed the Patriot League’s Offensive Player of the Week award for a second consecutive week as he led Bucknell with both goals in a 2-0 victory against Seton Hall.