National Team Of The Week - CollegeSoccerNews.com

College Soccer News - National Team of the Week - Week Ending November 11, 2018

The College Soccer News National Team of the Week reflects key individual performers across the country in a week which was highlighted by conference tournaments and the automatic berths that accompany them.

Marcel Zajac Junior Forward Akron	Zajac was a force on the offensive side of the ball as Akron defeated SIUE 2-1, West Virginia 3-1 and Western Michigan 3-0 to claim the MAC Conference Tournament Title. He netted the game-winner against SIU, contributed an assit in the win over West Virginia, and scored twice in the win over Western Michigan.
Tate Schmitt Senior Forward Louisville	Schmitt was named the MVP of the ACC Tournament after contributing a goal and two assists as the number four seeded Cardinals topped number one seed Wake Forest 2-1 and number two seed North Carolina 1-0 to win the ACC Tournament.
JJ Williams Junior Forward Kentucky	Williams sloted a shot into the back post that was set up by a cross from Kalil Elmedkhar in Kentucky's 2-1 win over Marshall. He also netted the lone goal in Kentucky's 1-0 win over Charlotte in the CUSA Championship match. Williams has found the back of the net a total of sixteen times so far this year.
Laurence Wyke Senior Midfielder Furman	Wyke was solid on both sides of the ball as Furman claimed the Southern Conference Tournament title with wins over ETSU 2-1 and UNCG 3-0. Wyke scored the game-winner in overtime out of a corner kick in the game with ETSU. He also contributed the helper on one of Emery May's two goals in the contest with UNCG.
Cory Thomas RS Senior Midfielder Indiana	Thomas was a catalyst in the center of the park for the Hoosiers who captured the Big Ten Tournament by advancing past Maryland in a penalty kick shootout and Michigan 3-0 in the championship contest. Thomas converted his penalty kick in the shootout against Maryland and scored in the win over Michigan.
Daniel Aguirre Sophomore Midfielder UC Riverside	Aguirre is among the reasons why UC Riverside's magical run continues. He scored with an assist from Antonio Lokossou in the Highlanders 3-2 win over CS Fullerton. He also converted his penalty kick in the pk shootout as UC Riverside advanced past UC Davis after the game was scoreless at the conclusion of regularion and overtime.
Hannes Burmeister Senior Midfielder Georgia State	Burmeister scored three times to help power Georgia State past rival Georgia Southern 4-2 to secure GSU's first ever Sun Belt title and return to the NCAA Tourney field for the first time since 2011. The Panthers defeated Coastal Carolina 2-1 to advance to the championship match.
Oliver Harris Senior Midfielder Colgate	Harris was a difference maker as Colgate defeated American 3-2, Lehigh 2-1 and Army 1-0 to claim the programs third straight Patriot League Championship. He contribututed two assists in the win over American and scored twice in the win over Lehigh.
Jacob Graiber RS Sophomore Defender UIC	Graiber was rock solid playmaker on the defensive side of the ball for the Flames who advanced past IUPUI in a contest that was decided by a penalty kick shootout and then topped Wright State 3-1 to win the Horizon League Championship. Graiber was named the Tournament MVP.
Brendan McDonough Senior Defender Georgetown	McDonough was part of a Hoyas defense that shutout Providence 4-0 and Marquette 2-0 to capture the Big East Championship. McDonough also converted a header out of a corner kick served in by teammate Kyle Zajec in the championship game.
Josh Bauer Sophomore Defender New Hampshire	Bauer was part of a Wildcat defense that shutout UMass Lowell 2-0 and UMBC 5-0 to win New Hampshire's first ever America East Tournament championship. For his efforts he was named the Tournament's Most Outstanding Player.
George Tasouris RS Freshman Goalkeeper Grand Canyon	Tasouris had a total of twenty-two saves between the pipes to solidify a stout Grand Canyon defense that shutout Utah Valley 1-0, Air Force 1-0, and San Jose State 1-0 to claim the WAC Tournament Championship for the first time in the history of the program.
Pablo Gatinois Sophomore Goalkeeper Rider	Gatinois anchored a stout Rider defense that shutout Iona 2-0, Fairfield, 2-0 and Quinnipiac 1-0 to secure the program's third MAAC Championship in the past four seasons. He posted a career high ten saves in the championship contest with Quinnipiac.

College Soccer News - National Team of the Week - Week Ending November 4, 2018

Prime time performances across the country highlighted an intense week of play during which some teams were involved in closing out regular season play while others were engaged in the one and done environment of conference tournaments.

Jonathan Jimenez Junior Forward Pacific	Jimenez scored three times within a three minute span in the second half of play to power Pacific past Portand 3-2 in an important West Coast Conference contest. The Tigers improve to 10-5-2 with a 4-2-0 mark in conference play.
Andre Shinyashiki Senior Forward Denver	Shinyashiki recorded his fifth hat trick of the 2018 season in Denver's 5-0 win over Oral Roberts. The Pioneers improve to 13-3-2 overall and secure their sixth consecutive regular season Summit League title. Shinyashiki has scored a total of twenty-seven goals so far this year.
Yazeed Matthews Senior Forward Coastal Carolina	Matthews continues to find the back of the net on a regular basis for the Chanticleers. He scored twice to lead CCU past Georgia Southern 4-1 in a key Sun Belt Conference contest. Matthews has scored in seven straight matches including two goals in each of this last four games. Coastal Carolina closes out regular season play with a 9-5-0 overall record.
Mark Forrest Senior Forward Lehigh	Forrest added punch to the Lehigh attack with a three goal evening that propelled the Mountain Hawks to a 3-1 victory over Holy Cross in Patriot League play. Lehigh improves to 9-7-2 overall and nails down the second seed in the upcoming Patriot League Tournament with a 6-3-0 mark in league play.
Edward Kizza Sophomore Forward Pittsburgh	Kizza scored scored twice to lead Pitt past Virginia 2-0 in the ACC Tournament. He drove a shot into the far post after receiving a nice through ball from Chandler Vaughn and returned a rebound into back of the net. Pitt claimed their first ever win in the ACC Tourney.
Joseph Meyer Junior Midfielder Fairfield	Meyer made the run he needed to make and decisively drove a header into the near corner after receiving a cross from teammate Cormac Pike. Meyer's goal gave the Stags the edge they needed to top Manhattan 1-0. Fairfield won the MAAC regular season title with a 8-0-2 mark in conference play. 11-4-2.
Lewis Scattergood Freshman Midfielder Stetson	Scattergood had a very productive weekend. He scored twice in Stetson's 3-1 win over North Florida in the ASUN Conference quarterfinals. He also converted a header out of a corner kick in the Hatters 1-1 tie with FGCU. Stetson prevailed in a penalty kick shootout to advance to face Lipscomb in the championship contest.
Diego Arribas Sophomore Midfielder Fairleigh Dickinson	Arribas was a catalyst on the offensive side of the ball for FDU. He served in a nice cross to provide an assist on teammate Ahu Obhakhan's goal and drove a shot into the far corner of the goal from outside the box to help the Knight's top LIU Brooklyn 2-0. FDU improves to 7-6-4 with a 4-2-2 mark in NEC play.
Umar Farouk Osmon Sophomore Midfielder Michigan	Osmon sent a one-timer into the back of the frame out of a throw-in and alertly utilized his left foot to send a shot into the top-left corner of the net out of a corner kick to power Michigan past Penn State 3-1 in the Big Ten Tournament. The Wolverines improve to 11-4-2 and advance to face Wisconsin.
Jake Bates Sophomore Defender Central Arkansas	Bates played a key role in Central Arkansas' 1-0 win over Missouri State. He scored the lone goal of the contest and was a vital part of a tough Central Arkansas defense that limited Missouri State to only one shot on goal. UCA secures its first regular season title at the Division I level with a 4-1-1 in MVC play.
Ebenezer Ackon Senior Defender Bowling Green	Ackon made an impact o both sides of the ball in Bowling Green's 2-0 win over SIUE. He converted a header out of a corner kick served in by Tate Robertson and was part of a tenacious Falcon backline that held SIUE to only one shot on goal. Bowling Green. The win gave Bowling Green the number two seed in the MAC Tournament.
Justin Wright Senior Defender UC Davis	Wright converted the game-winning goal in the Aggies 3-2 win over CSUN in the first round of the Big West Conference Tournament. He also was part of a solid UC Davis defense that held UC Irvine scoreless for 110 minutes. The Aggies then prevailed in a penatly kick shootout to advance to the championship match.
Mitchell Myers Sophomore Defender South Carolina	Myers played a role in all three of South Carolina's goals in their 3-2 win on the road over FIU in a CUSA contest. He converted a penalty kick and assisted on the goals scored by teammates Tucker Monheimer and Paul Quildies.
Will Pulisic Sophomore Goalkeeper Duke	Pulisic was a difference maker in goal for the Blue Devils. Duke advanced past Pitt in a contest that was decided by a penalty kick shootout after the game was scoreless after 110 minutes of play. Pulsic made two key stops in the shootout and converted his own penalty kick. Duke advances to the semifinals of the ACC Tourney to face UNC.
Dayne St. Clair Redshirt Junior Goalkeeper Maryland	St. Clair made several key stops which gave the Terps the opportunity to secure a 1-0 win over Michigan State in East Lansing in the Quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference Tourney. Maryland improves to 8-6-3 overall and advances to face Indiana in the semifinals.

College Soccer News - National Team of the Week - Week Ending October 28, 2018

The College Soccer News National Team of the Week recognizes individuals across the country who played a key role in the success that their team enjoyed during the week.

Daniel Trejo Sophomore Forward CSUN	Trejo is a difference maker. He played a part in both goals in CSUN's 2-0 win over UC Irvine. He served in a cross that deflected off an Anteater defender into the goal and added the insurance tally off a nice give and go with teammate Michael Flores. The Matadors secure the number four seed in the Big West Conference Tournament.
Nico Brown Junior Forward Loyola Maryland	Brown helped the Greyhounds secure Patriot League wins over American University 4-1 and Lehigh 1-0. He drove a shot into the net from the top corner of the box in the win over American and netted the lone goal of the evening after receiving a cross from Brian Saramago in the win over Lehigh. The Greyhounds are 11-3-1 with a 6-1-1 mark in conference play.
Thibault Candia Junior Forward UCSB	Candia played a key role in both of UCSB's goals in their 2-0 win over Cal Poly before a crowd of 7,318 fans at Harder Stadium. He set up the goals scored by teammates Sahid Conteh and Kaya Fabbretti with perfectly played and timed services into the box. UCSB improves to 10-6-1 with a 4-2-1 mark in Big West Conference action.
Don Tchilao Senior Forward Oregon State	Tchilao converted a penalty kick to give Oregon State the edge they needed to top San Diego State 1-0. He also scored the game-winning goal in overtime and contributed two assists in Oregon State's 4-3 win over UCLA. The Beavers improve to 10-4-3 with a 6-2-1 mark in Pac-12 play.
JJ Williams Junior Forward Kentucky	Williams continues to come up big for the Wildcats. He converted a header in Kentucky's 4-0 win over Evansville. He also scored in the eighty-eighth minute of play to enable the Wildcats to slip past FAU 2-1 on the road in a CSUA match. Kentucky improves to 14-1-1 with a 6-1-0 mark in conference play.
Joel Rydstrand Senior Midfielder Creighton	Rydstrand assisted on the goals scored by Ziyad Fares and Sven Koenig in Creighton's 2-1 win over Marquette. He also provided the helper on Bryce Gibson's game-winning goal in Creighton's 2-1 win over DePaul. The Bluejays improve to 11-3-2 with a 7-0-1 mark in Big East play.
Joey Piatczyc RS Senior Midfielder West Virginia	Piatczyc is a playmaker. He scored out of a free-kick to give West Virginia the edge they needed to top Pitt 2-1. He also scored the game-winning goal in the final minutes of regulation to enable the Mountaineers to come from behind to top Bowling Green 3-2 to claim the number one seed in the upcoming MAC Tournament.
Carlos Clark Senior Midfielder Albany	Clark helped Albany secure solid wins over Cornell 1-0 and UMBC 2-0. He scored the game-winning goal with an assist from Nico Solabarrieta in the win over Cornell and contributed a helper on teammate Kaio DaSilva's gola in the win over UMBC.
Jordan Barbara Sophomore Midfielder Presbyterian	Barbara sent a shot into the top left corner from the top of the box and found the back of the net with an assist from teammate Plamen Mangarov to help power Presbyterian College past Appalachian State 2-0. He also converted a penalty kick to help the Blue Hose top Gardner-Webb 2-0 in a Big South Conference match to improve to 5-2-0 in league play.
Andrew Burnikel RS Junior Defender Clemson	Burnikel contributed the assist on Robbie Robinson's goal in Clemson's 3-2 win over Syracuse. He also converted a header with an assist from Adrian Nunez and was part of a very tough Clemson defense that shutout Norh Carolina State 3-0. Clemson secures two very impressives wins in ACC play.
Gonzalo Talavera Sophomore Defender Georgia Southern	Talavera was part of a solid Georgia Southern defense that held Appalachian State to just five shots on goal in a 1-0 shoutout win. He also provided the lone goal of the contest when he drove a shot into the upper right corner of the frame with six seconds remaining in regulation. The Eagles are 6-5-3 with a 2-0-1 mark in the Sun Belt play.
Philip Ponder Junior Defender SMU	Ponder, who hails from Denton, Texas, was part of a rock solid SMU defense that shutout Connecticut 2-0 on the road. He also contributed a goal in the win. SMU improves to 8-4-2 overall with a 4-1-1 mark in American Athletic Conference play.
Elliot Panicco RS Junior Goalkeeper Charlotte	Panicco anchored a tenacious Charlotte defense that recorded shutouts over USC Upstate 3-0 and UIC 4-0. Panicco had an eight save week for a 49ers defense that has only allowed a total of only seven goals and has not allowed a goal at home all season. Charlotte improves to 10-3-1 overall with a 4-2-0 mark in CUSA action.

College Soccer News - National Team of the Week - Week Ending October 21, 2018

College Soccer News' National Team of the Week recognizes key individual performers who played a key role in the success that their team enjoyed during the week.

Austin Dewing Senior Forward Air Force	Dewing utilized his quickness and touch on the ball to score twice in Air Force's 4-0 win over San Jose State. He also deposited a one-timer into the back right post with an assist from teammate Tucker Bone in Air Force's 2-1 win over Seattle University. The Falcons are 14-2-0 overall with a 7-1 mark in WAC action.
Yazeed Matthews Senior Forward Coastal Carolina	Matthews scored from within the box to give Coastal Carolina the edge they needed to top Clemson 1-0 on the road. Matthews also scored twice with Tyrone Mondi assisting in CCU's 2-1 win over Howard in a Sun Belt Conference match. The Chanticleers improve to 7-4-1 with a 1-1 mark in Sun Belt action.
Abdou Mbacke Thiam Senior Forward Connecticut	Mbacke Thiam had another productive week of play. He scored and assisted on Josh Burnett's goal in UConn's 3-2 win over Boston College. He followed that up with a two-goal evening to lead the Huskies past Temple 2-1. Connecticut improves to 9-2-2.
Cal Jennings Junior Forward UCF	Jennings netted his third hat trick of the year to lead UCF past FGCU 5-1. He also drove a shot into the net after alertly incepting a pass to help UCF secure a 2-1 win over South Florida. UCF improves to 10-2-2 overall with a 3-1-1 mark in AAC play.
Kristo Strickler Sophomore Forward Virginia Tech	Strickler scored and assisted on teammate Brendan Moyers' goal in Virginia Tech's 4-0 win over in-state foe William and Mary. He also found the back net twice and contributed a helper in Virginia Tech's 5-2 come from behind win over Notre Dame. The Hokies improve to 9-4-2 overall with a 3-3-1 mark in ACC action.
Logan Paynter Redshirt Senior Forward Lipscomb	Paynter was a key factor in two key Lipscomb victories. He assisted on teammate John Wynia's goal and scored to help the Bisons upset Louisville 3-2. He also scored and added the helper on teammate Daniel Zapata's game-winner in Lipscombs 2-1 win over NJIT in an ASUN contest.
Luka Prpa Junior Midfielder Marquette	Prpa scored out of a set piece and sent the rebound of his own shot into the back of the net to play a key role in Marquette's 2-1 come from behind win ove Xavier in a Big East Conference contest. The Golden Eagles improve to 5-7-1 with a 3-2-1 record in conference play.
Jack Skahan Junior Midfielder North Carolina	Skahan's hat trick powered the Tar Heels past Winthrop 4-0. He also scored from twenty-two yards out with a helper from Giovanni Montesdeoca to play a role in North Carolina's 2-0 win over Boston College in an ACC match. The Tar Heels are 11-2-1 with a 5-1-0 mark in conference play.
Noah Mehta Senior Midfielder Duquesne	Mehta was a differnece maker for Duquesne. He headed in a cross served in by Zach Hall and drove a shot into the back of the net after receiving a pass from Olav Hovstad to help propel the Dukes past Rhode Island 3-1. The win was Duquesne's first ever over a ranked opponent.
Kalil Elmedkhar Junior Midfielder Kentucky	Elmedkhar slotted a shot into the lower right corner of the net with an assist from Sam Stockton in Kentucky's 3-0 win over Ohio State. He also scored twice and contributed an assist in Kentucky's win over New Mexico in a CUSA contest. The Wildcats improve to 12-1-1 with a 5-1-0 mark in conference play.
Niko Klosterhalfen Senior Midfielder Old Dominion	Klosterhalfen drove a header into the right corner of the net and scored from inside the box after receiving a pass from Max Wilschrey to help the Monarchs come from two goals down to top Campbell 3-2. He also contributed an assist on one of teammate Kostas Mylonas' two goals in ODU's 2-0 win over UAB. A hot ODU squad improves to 9-3-2 with a 5-1-0 mark in CUSA play.
Jesus Partida Sophomore Midfielder UNLV	Partida produced two game-winning goals for UNLV. He secured a clearance out of a corner kick and sent it into the far left post to give UNLV the edge they needed to top UMKC 1-0. He also netted the game-winning goal from eighteen yeards out in UNLV's 1-0 win victory over Houston Baptist. UNLV moves to 9-7-1 overall.
Alex Cover Freshman Defender Oregon State	Cover's first career goal was a big one. He controlled and sent teammate Loke Strenov's missed shot into the back of the net in the ninty-second minute of play to give Oregon State a 1-0 win over California on the road in Pac-12 play. The Beavers also tied Stanford 2-2 on the road. Oregon State improves to 8-4-3 and 4-2-1 in Pac-12 action.
Steven Tekesky Sophomore Goalkeeper West Virginia	Tekesky made the big stops that he needed to make to provide his team the opporutinty to win. His nine save evening enabled the Mountaineers to weather a difficult first half and to take conrol in the second stanza to secure a 5-1 win over SIUE in a key Mid-American Conference game. West Virginia improves to 10-5-0 with a 3-0-0 mark in MAC play.