United Soccer Coaches Hands Out Five Player of the Week Awards
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Nov. 6, 2018) – United Soccer Coaches honored five collegiate student-athletes with Player of the Week awards, the association announced on Tuesday.
NCAA Division I Men: Jake Bates (Central Arkansas)
NCAA Division II Women: Bria Riancho (Columbus State)
NCAA Division III Men: Connor Bell (Messiah College)
NCAA Division III Women: Kaleigh Panek (Western Connecticut State)
Junior College Men: Hector Gutierrez (Whatcom CC)
Central Arkansas sophomore defender Jake Bates (Tomball, Texas) scored the game-winning goal and helped anchor a defense that limited Missouri State to just one shot on goal in a 1-0 UCA win that secured the Missouri Valley Regular Season Championship.
Columbus State sophomore goalkeeper Bria Riancho (Largo, Fla.) was named the Peach Belt Tournament MVP, recording three shutouts en route to the championship, including a 4-2 win in PKs in the championship game.
Messiah College senior goalkeeper Connor Bell (High Point, N.C.) logged two shutouts en route to the conference tournament title and was named MAC Commonwealth MVP. Helped Messiah to a 4-1 win in PKs in the championship game. Western Connecticut State freshman forward Kaleigh Panek (Shelton, Conn.) scored three of the four goals for the Colonials as they captured the LEC Tournament Championship. She scored both goals in the 2-0 championship game win.
Whatcom Community College sophomore goalkeeper Hector Gutierrez (Lynden, Wash.) stopped a pair of penalty kicks as Whatcom held off Spokane 1-0.
Each Tuesday during the college regular season, United Soccer Coaches selects a men’s and women’s Player of the Week for NCAA Division I, Division II, Division III and Junior College competition based on nominations from schools and conferences. Nominations are due every Tuesday by 10 a.m. CT to be considered.