USL Feature
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
USL PDL All-Eastern Conference goalkeeper Brian Holt’s remarkable run in goal for the Creighton Bluejays continued this weekend as the Reading United AC standout took home the College Soccer News’ Player of the Week award after extending his shutout streak this season to 719 minutes, 32 seconds with a pair of shutouts against Kentucky and Saint Mary’s.
Holt and the Bluejays have yet to concede a goal this season, with their perfect 8-0-0 record currently seeing the side ranked No.2 in the nation by the National Soccer Coaches Association of American Division I poll. The Bluejays will face their toughest test of the season so far this Friday when they travel to face No.3 Maryland, who are also undefeated (8-0-1).
Holt is the third consecutive PDL alum to be honored by College Soccer News, with Orange County Blue Star forward and league MVP finalist Chandler Hoffman winning last week’s award. Prior to Hoffman, former Indiana Invader Alec Purdie received the honor.
In addition to Holt’s national honors, he was also selected as the Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week. Holt was joined in being honored by the MVC by teammate Ethan Finlay, who was named as the MVC Offensive Player of the Week after he had two goals and an assist for the Bluejays in their two wins. The former Chicago Fire Premier standout led the other PDL alumni who were rewarded for their strong play in college soccer over the past week.
ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE
Carolina Dynamo standout Andrew Wenger received the ACC Player of the Week award for the second consecutive week after scoring four goals and two assists for Duke in its two victories this past weekend. Wenger had two goals and two assists as the Blue Devils defeated UNC-Wilmington 4-1 before notching another pair of goals in a 4-1 victory against Wake Forest.
Wenger appears to be playing his best soccer of the season currently, having scored seven goals and added three assists in his past three games. That’s good news for Duke as it faces arch-rival North Carolina on Friday night on FOX Soccer’s NSCAA Game of the Week at 7 p.m.
BIG TEN
Former Indiana Invader Alec Purdie was named the Co-Offensive Player of the Week after the Indiana standout scored the game-winning goal for the Hoosiers in their 1-0 victory against Penn State. The goal was his third game-winner of the season, leading the Big Ten, earning his second weekly award of the season.
BIG EAST
Notre Dame’s Greg Klazura was named the Big East Defensive Player of the Week after his standout performance in the Fighting Irish’s 1-0 win against former No.3 Louisville during the weekend. Klazura, who played this summer for the Indiana Invaders, picked up his first career weekly award as Notre Dame shut out a Louisville side that had averaged more than two goals a game so far this season.
AMERICA EAST
Stony Brook’s Leonardo Fernandes won the American East Player of the Week award after leading his side to a pair of victories with six points. The native of Sao Paulo, Brazil played for the Brooklyn Knights this summer, and had a pair of goals as the Seawolves rallied to take a 4-3 victory against Temple on Sunday.
BIG SOUTH
Fresno Fuego defender Cyprian Hedrick was named the Big South Defensive Player of the Week award after his role in Coastal Carolina’s 3-1 victory against Gardner-Webb on Friday. The Chanticleers allowed only three shots on goal for Gardner-Webb, which had averaged more than 14 shots per game prior to the contest.
BIG WEST
Orange County Blue Star standout Luis Silva was named the Big West Offensive Player of the Week after his hat trick for UC Santa Barbara lifted the Gauchos past San Diego 3-0. UCSB, which is now ranked No.10 by the NSCAA, has lost just once this season and Silva is tied for the team-lead in points with 10.
IVY LEAGUE
Former Des Moines Menace forward Stephen Baker was named the Ivy League Co-Player of the Week after he had a goal and two assist for Penn in the Quakers’ two victories at the Penn Soccer Classic. Baker had a goal and an assist as the Quakers took a 4-1 victory against Long Island, and now has four goals and 10 points this season.
MOUNTAIN PACIFIC
Ventura County Fusion forward Zyasi Gardes earned the MPSF Player of the Week award after scoring his third hat trick of the season for CSU Bakersfield this weekend against Gonzaga as the side won the Oregon State Tournament title. Gardes was also named to the CSN Team of the Week, and now leads Division I with 11 goals in seven games this season.
SOUTHERN CONFERENCE
Former Mississippi Brilla goalkeeper Alec Kann was named the Southern Conference Player of the Week after leading Furman to a 1-0-1 record last week. Kann recorded his fifth shutout of the season as the Palladins earned a 0-0 draw with No.24 East Tennessee State, while also playing a key role in his side’s 3-1 victory against Presbyterian.
WEST COAST CONFERENCE
Portland Timbers U-23s midfielder Steven Evans was named the WCC Player of the Week after the sophomore had three goals and two assists for the University of Portland in its three victories this past week. Evans, who was returning from injury, scored the game-winning goal as the Pilots defeated Washington in his first game back, adding two goals and two assists in taking Offensive MVP honors at the Husky Fever Classic in Seattle this weekend.