National Team Of The Week - CollegeSoccerNews.com

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.

College Soccer News - National Team of the Week - Week Ending November 18, 2018

The College Soccer News National Team of the Week reflects impressive performances in a very competitive first week of play in the 2018 NCAA Tournament. Playmakers on both sides of the ball steped up during the week to make the big plays that were required to help their teams survive and advance when the level of competition makes the margin for error very small. Five of the sixteen seeds didn't advance to the Sweet Sixteen.

Ibrahima Diop Freshman Forward Connecticut	Diop scored three goals including the game winning-goal in overtime to enable Connecticut to come from two goals down to defeat Rhode Island 4 to 3 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. UConn's season subsequenlty came to an end with they fell to Indiana 4-0 in the second round.
Nathaniel Crofts Sophomore Forward Virginia	Crofts scored twice to help power UVA past Furman 2-0. His first goal was out of a breakaway set up by a nice cross from teammate Daryl Dike. His second goal came after receiving a through ball from Kennedy Nwabia. The Cavaliers travel to face Notre Dame in South Bend on Sunday. The two teams played to a scoreless draw on October 23.
Aaron Ward-Baptiste Senior Forward James Madison	Ward-Baptiste scored after receiving a cross from Yannick Franz and contriubted an assist on one of Manuel Ferriol's goals in JMU's 3-0 win over HIgh Point. He also scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in the Dukes' 2-1 win over number five seeded North Carolina to advance to face Virginia Tech.
Manuel Ferriol Junior Midfielder James Madison	Ferriol had a productive week for a red hot JMU team. He scored out of a free kick put in play by Aaron Ward-Baptiste and scored with an assist from Niclas Mohr in the Dukes' 3-0 win over High Point. He also controlled and drove the rebound of Petur Thorsteinsson's shot into the net in JMU's 2-1 win over UNC. The Dukes advance to face Virginia Tech in Blacksburg in the Sweet Sixteen.
Trevor Swartz RS Senior Midfielder Indiana	Swartz is a playmaker who made his presence known in Indiana's 4-0 win over Connecticut when he contributed an assist on the goals scored by teammates Anderw Gutman, Timy Mehl, and Spencer Glass. The number two seeded Hoosiers improve to 18-2-1 and advance to host Air Force in the third round of the NCAA Tourney.
Kalil ElMedkhar Sophomore Midfielder Kentucky	Elmedkhar scored twice in Kentucky's 4-0 win over Portland. His first goal was set up by a double assist from Jason Reyes and Sam Stockton. His second score was off a give and go with teammate JJ Williams who also had a two goal evening. The Wildcats now host a surging Lipscomb University team.
Issa Rayyan Freshman Midfielder Duke	Rayyan alertly secured the rebound of junior Daniele Proch's shot and deposited it into the back of the net to give Duke a 1-0 win over a determined Pacific team. The goal was Rayyan's sixth of the year to date and the his fifth in the past six contests. The Blue Devils will host Maryland in the Sweet Sixteen next Saturday.
Dylan Nealis Junior Defender Georgetown	Nealis scored in the eighty-eighth minute of play making a nice move into the box that gave him the angle needed to get off a shot that found its way into the back of the net. The goal provided the edge Georgetwon needed to top West Virgina 1-0. The Hoyas improve to 13-4-3 and will host Michigan State in the Sweet Sixteen.
Donovan Pines Junior Defender Maryland	Pines was part of a stout Terp backline that shutout a very competitive North Carolina State team 2-0 to earn the right to advance to face Duke in the Sweet Sixteen. Pines also contributed a helper on teammate Sebastian Elney's goal.
James Sims Senior Defender Air Force	Sims was part of a solid Air Force defensive effort that shutout Central Arkansas 4-0 and topped a talented Denver team 2-1. He also contributed a goal in the win over Central Arkansas. Air Force advances to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 1993 where they will face Indiana on Sunday.
Adbi Mohamed Senior Defender Akron	Mohamed made an impact on both sides of the ball in Akron's 3-1 win over Rider 3-1 and 3-1 victory over Syracuse 3-1. He was a key part of a Zip defense that held both opponents in check. He also contributed a goal and an assist in the contest with Syracuse. Akron advances to face number one seed Wake Forest in the Sweet Sixteen.
Tanner Beason RS Junior Defender Stanford	Beason converted a penalty kick that was created when when he was fouled in the box. He also was at the heart of a Cardinal defense that was tested but secured a 2-0 shutout win over a game UC Irvine team. Stanford improves to 12-3-4 and advances to face St. Mary's on Sunday in what looks to be a great college soccer match.
Chris Zappia RS Senior Goalkeeper Lipscomb	Zappia made the big saves that he needed to make to hold Washington scoress during regulation and overtime. Lipscomb then prevailed in a penalty kick shootout. He also made eight saves to anchor a Lipscomb defense that shutout UCF 1-0 in Orlando. The Bisons now travel to Lexington where they will tangle with number three seed Kentucky.

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.