National Team Of The Week - CollegeSoccerNews.com

College Soccer News - National Team of the Week - Week Ending September 15, 2019

The action is beginning to heat up coast to coast as big time players make big time plays to help their teams secure wins. The season is still young but teams are beginning to settle into a rhythm on both sides of the ball. .

Zach Ryan RS Sophomore Forward Stanford	Ryan contributed the game-winning goal with an assist from Tanner Beason in Stanford's 1-0 win over UC Irvine and scored in Stanford's 2-0 win over Denver. The Cardinal also topped American 3-0 to improve to 5-0-0.
Kimarni Smith Junior Forward Clemson	Smith had a blockbuster week that began with a three goal evening in Clemson's 7-0 thumping of USC Upstate. He followed that performance up with a brilliant two goal evening to help power the Tigers past a highly regarded Notre Dame team 4-2 on the road. Clemson ups their record to 5-0-0.
Anders Engebretsen Senior Forward Saint Mary's	Engebretsen contributed a hat trick in Saint Mary's 5-2 come from behind win over San Jose State. He also scored in overtime to give the Gaels the edge they needed to top CSU Bakersfield 3-2. Saint Mary's improves to 5-0-0.
Christian Pinson Junior Forward CS Fullerton	Pinzon assisted on one of the two goals that Oscar Flores scored and netted the golden goal in the 100th minute of play to help the Titans secure a 3-2 win over Air Force. Pinzon also scored and provided the helper on Mario Gomez's goal in CS Fullerton's 2-0 win over FGCU. The Titans are 6-0-0.
Pedro Dolabella Junior Midfielder Marshall	Dolabella and his Marshall teammates had a productive week of play. Dolabella sent a header into the back of the frame in Marshall's 2-1 win over ETSU. He also scored with a double assist from Vinicius Fernandes and Max Schneider in Marshall's 2-0 win over South Carolina. The Thundering Herd improves to 4-0-1.
Evan Sawula RS Junior Midfielder Oakland	Sqwula's one-timer into the back of the frame in the eightieth minute of play gave Oakland the edge they needed to top Cleveland State 1-0 in a Horizon League contest. The game-winning goal came out of a counter attack that was set up by alert pay and a nice combination of passes from Dylan Borczak and Carson Debison-Larabie. The Golden Grizzlies are 3-1-1.
Alessandro Campoy RS Junior Midfielder FIU	Campoy played a key role in helping FIU secure a dominating 6 to 1 win over FAU with a three goal and one assist evening. FIU is off to a solid 4-0-1 start to the 2019 campaign.
Ander Etxaniz Junior Midfielder Longwood	Etxaniz scored from the top of the box and converted a header out of a corner kick in Longwood's 5-1 win over VMI. He also scored twice to help power the Lancers past Robert Morris 3-0. Longwood improves to 3-1-0.
Kip Keller Freshman Midfielder Saint Louis	Keller's first goal as a Billiken was huge. He scored with ten ticks remaining on the clock in the second overtime period to give Saint Louis a 1-0 win over SIUE before a crowd of over 3,000 fans at Korte Stadium. It was the first Bronze Boot game played in Edwardsville in more than twenty years in what will no doubt continue to be a great college soccer rivalry.
Robin Afamefuna Senior Defender Virginia	The Cavalier captain was a key ingredient in a solid Virginia defense that contained a very potent Duke attack on the road to secure a big 3-1 win in Atlantic Coast Conference play. The Cavaliers improve to 4-0-0.
Matt Nocita Sophomore Defender Navy	Nocita alertly recovered his on header attempt and sloted it into the back of the frame in Navy's 1-0 win over Mount St. Mary's. He was also part of a solid Navy defensive effort. The goal was Nocita's third of the year. The Midshipmen begin the season with a 5-0-0 record for the first time since 1991.
Esai Easley Sophomore Defender Grand Canyon	Easley was part of an impressive Grand Canyon defense that shutout a very good Oregon State team 1-0 at GCU stadium to improve to 3-1-0. Grand Canyon will travel to Blackburg to face a highly regarded Virginia Tech team on Tuesday.
Kieran Baskett Freshman Goalkeeper William and Mary	Baskett had a big week in goal for the Tribe. He recorded eleven saves in William and Mary's 1-1 tie with CAA foe UNCW and seven saves including several at point blank range in the Tribe's 1-1 tie with NC State. Baskett has a .821 save percentage to date and is averaging 5.75 saves per contest.

College Soccer News - National Team of the Week - Week Ending September 8, 2019

The College Soccer News National Team of the Week features individual performers on both sides of the ball from coast to coast who had an impact on the success that their team experienced during the week.

Milan Iloski Junior Forward UCLA	Iloski became the first Bruin to record a hat trick since the 2011 season when he scored once in the first half and twice in the second stanza to power UCLA past visting Maryland 3-2. The Bruins improve to 2-1-0 and seek to topple another top ten team when they host Georgetown on Monday.
Daniele Proch Senior Forward Duke	Proch scored twice in Duke's 4-0 win over Princeton and twice in Duke's 3-0 victory over Harvard to play a huge role in both contests. Duke improves to 4-0-0 . The Blue Devils host Virginia on Friday in a key ACC matchup between two top ten teams.
Cal Jennings Senior Forward UCF	Jennings continues to come up big for UCF. He found the back of the net twice in UCF's 2-2 tie with Penn State and scored the Knights first goal after receiving a cross from Riichard Amon in their 3-2 win in overtime against a determined UTRGV team. UCF hosts VCU on Friday.
Bar Hazut Sophomore Forward UIC	Hazut, a sophomore transfer from Fort Lewis, made an impact in his first collegiate start for UIC when he converted a hat tirck to help power the Flames past Valpo 5-1. He followed that up with a two goal outing in a 3-0 win over Western Illinois. UIC improves to 3-1-0 and begins Horizon League play on Saturday when they host Green Bay.
Trevor Martineau Sophomore Forward Mercer	Martineau and his teammates had a productive week of soccer. Martineau contributed a goal in Mercer's 2-1 win over Presbyterain, he scored twice in Mercer's 3-2 win over UAB, and contributed the helper on teammate Leonel Toledo Jr.'s goal in a 1-0 win over Memphis. Mercer takes a 4-0-0 record to Columiba on Wednesday where they will face South Carolina.
Justin McMaster Junior Midfielder Wake Forest	McMaster drove a header into the back of the net with a double assist from Eddie Folds and Isaiah Parente and produced what proved to be the game-winner in the second half after receiving a pass from midfielder Bruno Lapa in Wake Forest's 3-1 win over Dartmouth. The Deacons host Houston Baptist on Monday before traveling to face Pitt in ACC play on Friday.
Teddy Chaouche Senior Midfielder Charlotte	Chaouche is a playmaker and team catalyst. He helped the 49ers come from behind to top Coastal Carolina 2-1 by assisting on Preston Popp's game-tying goal and scoring the game-winning goal in overtime. Charlotte places its undefeated 3-0-0 record on the line when they travel to tangle with West Virginia on Tuesday.
Adrian Crespo Sophomore Midfielder Oregon State	Crespo made good things happen from start to finish in Oregon State's 2-0 win over Davidson. He contributed his fourth helper of the season on teammate Kolade Salaudeen's goal and scored with an assist from Sofiane Djeffal. Oregon State will welcome Pacific to Lorenz Field on Monday.
Gideon Betz Senior Defender Campbell	The Campbell center back was a key contributor on both sides of the ball in the Camels 4-0 win over American and 3-0 win over George Mason. Campbell will welcome UNCG to Buies Creek on Friday as they seek to build upon their 2-1-1 record to date.
Jacob Goodall RS Senior Defender Xavier	Goodall was a key ingredient in a solid Muskeeter defensive effort that enabled Xavier to secure a 3-0 shutout against Eastern Illiniois and a 2-1 victory over crosstown rival Cincinnati to improve to 3-0-0. Xavier travels to face Kentucky on Wednesday in what looks to be one of the marquee matches of the week.
Achille Robin Junior Defender Bowling Green	Robin along with netminder Anthony Mwembia was part of a stout Bowling Green defense that shutout Wisconsin 1-0 and Northwestern 3-0. Robin also contributed a goal in the win over Northwestern. BGSU improves to 3-0-1 and will host Ohio State on Friday.
Bryce Logan RS Junior Goalkeeper Washington	Logan had an eight save weekend on the road making the big stops that he needed to make in goal to give his team the opportunity to secure a 1-0 win over Michigan State and a 1-0 win over Michigan. Washington improves to 4-0-0 but faces difficult on the road matches against CSUN on Thursday and Seattle on Sunday.

College Soccer News - National Team of the Week - Week Ending September 1, 2019

The College Soccer News National Team of the Week recognizies the performance of individual players from coast to coast who played a key role in the success that their team enjoyed during the opening weekend of play.

Anders Engebretsen Senior Forward Saint Mary's	Engebretsen fournd the back of the net twice during the first half of play to help power Saint Mary's College past a good UC Irvine squad 2-0 in the Gael's season opener. Saint Mary's extends its unbeaten streak to twenty-five games.
Stephen Elias Grad. Student Forward Seton Hall	Elias' first game for Seton Hall was a prodictive one. He scored three times to lead the Pirates past Central Connecticut State 6-0. The six goals were the most that Seton Hall had scored in a game since the 2007 season. The Pirates will be tested when they travel to face FGCU and FIU next weekend.
Daniel Trejo Junior Forward CSUN	Trejo helped the Matadors begin the season with a 2-0-0 record for the first time since the 2013 campaign. He scored twice and contributed an assist in CSUN's 3-1 win over Dayton and added a helper on freshman forward Samuel Salter's game-winning goal in the Matadors 4 to 3 win over Ohio State.
Dylan Teves Sophomore Midfielder Washington	Teves was a catalyst on the offensive side of the ball for Washington. He contributed the assists on the goals scored by teammates Gio Miglietti and Blake Bodily in Washington's 2-1 come from behind win over Devner.
Alhaji Tambadu Junior Midfielder Georgia Southern	Tambadu scored twice in Georgia Southern's 4-2 win over UNCW and once in their 2-0 win over the College of Charleston. He was named the MVP of the Aaron Olitsky Memorial Tournament. Eagle coach John Murph stated, "His work rate, unselfishness, and scoring touch made a big difference in two very tight games."
Ryan Medilah Senior Midfielder FGCU	Medilah drove a header into the back of the net and scored out of a free kick in the first half of play and converted a header in the second half to lead a potent FGCU offense in a 4 to 3 season opening win over Michigan. The Eagles have another big contest on Monday when they travel to East Lansing to face Michigan State.
Nicky Hernandez Sophomore Midfielder SMU	Hernandez scored twice in the first half of play including a picture perfect bicycle kick from the top of the box after receiving a cross from teammate Eddie Munjoma to play a key role in SMU's season opening 3-0 win over Lipscomb. The Mustangs will seek to build on that win when they welcome Houston Baptist to Westcott Field Monday evening.
Andrew Booth Senior Midfielder FIU	Booth helped the Panthers secure a 5-1 win over St. Boneventure and a 3-1 win over James Madison. He scored twice in the game with St. Boneventure and contributed the assist on teammate Stephen Afrifa's goal in the match with James Madison.
Patrick Hogan RS Junior Defender Charlotte	Hogan anchored a solid 49er defensive effort and also drove a header into the back of the net in Charlotte's 3-0 season opening win over Garner-Webb. The 49ers have recorded ten straight regular season shutouts at Transamerica Field.
Nabi Kibunguchy Junior Defender UC Davis	Kibunguchy was part of a solid Aggie defensive effort that shutout Wisconsin 2-0 in Madison and tied Marquette 0-0 in Milwaukee to begin the 2019 season with a 1-0-1 record. He also contributed on the offensive side of the ball.
Luke Hansen Sophomore Defender Saint John's	The Red Storm center back was a key ingredient in a Saint John's defense that shutout Appalachian State 2-0 and North Carolina State 1-0 to begin the season 2-0-0 for the first time since 2008.
Noah Heim Junior Goalkeeper SIUE	Heim had eight saves including a huge stop of a penalty kick in overtime to anchor a bend but don't break SIUE defense that tied Michigan State 0-0 in East Lansing. SIUE head coach Cale Wassermann stated, "He was calm and he came up big in a big moment."
Matthew Rosenberg RS Junior Goalkeeper Xavier	Rosenberg had six saves in goal while anchoring an Xavier defense that opened the 2019 season with an impressive 2-0 win over highly regarded Akron.

College Soccer News - National Team of the Week - Week Ending November 25, 2018

The final College Soccer News National Team of the Week for the 2018 season reflects clutch individual performances during the Sweet Sixteen. Only eight teams remain standing on the road to the College Cup in Santa Barbara.

William James Herve Freshman Forward Maryland	Herve's volley into the back of the frame after receiving a cross from teammate Paul Bin proved to be the game-winner as Maryland defeated number six seed Duke 2-0 in Durham to improve to 10-6-4 and advance to the Elite Eight.
Marzel Zajac Junior Forward Akron	Zajac continues to be a difference maker for Akron. He netted the game-winning goal with a double assist from David Egbo and Abdi Mohamed in Akron's 1-0 win on the road over number one seed Wake Forest. Zajac has recoreded eight goals and seven assists to date.
Jack Lynn Freshman Forward Notre Dame	Close contests hinge on someone making a big play. Lynn did just that when he decisively drove a header into the near post after receiving a cross from Tommy McCabe with one second remaining in the first overtime period. Lynn's golden goal was the difference maker in Notre Dame's 1-0 win over Virginia. The Irish are in the Elite Eight for the first time since 2013.
Michael Miller Sophomore Midfielder Michigan State	Miller's first goal of the season was a big one. With less than a minute remaining in the first stanza of play he drilled a shot from long range into the lower right corner. The goal gave Michigan State the edge they needed to top Georgetown 1-0 to reach the Elite Eight for the fourth time in the last six seasons.
Marcel Meinzer Freshman Midfielder Kentucky	Meinzer has been a catalyst in the center of the park for Kentucky. He contributed an assist on the goals scored by teammates Jason Reyes and Bailey Rouse in Kenturck's 2-1 win over Lipscomb. The Wildcats improve to 19-1-1 and advance to the Elite Eight.
Trevor Swartz RS Senior Midfielder Indiana	The Hoosier linkman from Cameron Park, California upped his assist total to fifteen for the season by contributing a helper on the goals scored by Austin Panchot and Timmy Mehl to help Indiana defeat Air Force 2-0 to improve to 19-2-1 and advance to the Elite Eight.
Bailey Rouse Sophomore Midfielder Kentucky	Rouse came up big for Kentucky when he chested in a free kick served in by teammate Marcel Meinzer. His goal proved to be the game-winner in Kentucky's 2-1 win over Lipscomb. The goal was Rouse's second of the season. The Wildcats advance to the Elite Eight where they will host Maryland.
Thomas Shores Senior Defender James Madison	Shores was a key part of a JMU defense along with backs Petur Thorsteinsson, Shaun McKenna and Tom Judge and goalkeeper TJ Bush that shutout Virginia Tech 3-0. The Dukes have allowed only one goal in their three wins to date in the NCAA Tourney. A hot JMU team advances to face Michigan State in the Elite Eight.
Timmy Mehl RS Senior Defender Indiana	Mehl headed in the insurance goal from close range in Indiana's 2-0 win over Air Force and contributed an assist on Austin Panchot game-winning goal. He also was part of a very solid Hoosier backline. IU advances to the Elite Eight for the twenty-seventh time in the history of the program.
Patrick Nielsen RS Sophomore Defender Michigan State	Nielsen was a key part of a very solid Michigan State defense along with backs John Freitag, Connor Corrigan and Michael Wetungu and goalkeeper Jimmy Hague. The Spartans contained a potent Georgetown attack in route to recording a 1-0 shutout. Michigan State hosts JMU on Saturday.
Andrew Thomas RS Freshman Goalkeeper Stanford	Thomas' play between the pipes enabled the Cardinal to advance past Saint Mary's in a penalty kick shootout after the teams concludied 110 minutes of play without a goal. He had eleven saves and two key stops in the penalty kick shootout. Stanford will host Akron in the Elite Eight on Friday.
Dayne St. Clair RS Junior Goalkeeper Maryland	St. Clair had an eight save evening in goal to anchor a Terp defense that along with backs Donovan Pines, Johannes Bergmann, Ben Di Rosa and Chase Gasper shutout a good Duke attack on the road 2-0. Maryland advances to the Elite Eight to face Kentucky.