Vincent Keller, Creighton
Creighton, Villanova Split BIG EAST Men’s Soccer Weekly Awards
NEW YORK – Creighton and Villanova went undefeated this past week with two wins each. The Bluejays preserved a 4-0-0 slate and defeated No. 13 UC-Irvine at home.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Padraic McCullaugh, Villanova, Jr., F, Sacramento, Calif. – McCullaugh led Villanova to a 2-0 week as the Wildcats notched a 4-3 win over Drexel and a 2-1 double-overtime victory over Delaware. The junior forward scored both game-winners in the victories, with a goal in the 86th minute to help the Wildcats rally past Drexel in the midweek home-opener. On Saturday, he scored both goals, finishing Labor Day Weekend with a win as he scored in the 102nd minute. McCullaugh led the league this week in game-winners (2), points (7), points per game (3.5), goals (3) and goals per game (1.50).
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Vincent Keller, Creighton, Sr., D, Freiburg, Germany . – After allowing the first goal of the season in the second minute of play (1:31) against Cal State Northridge, the Bluejay co-captain buoyed his defense to hold the Matadors for the remaining 88:29 for the 2-1 victory. Getting in on the offense as well, the senior defender assisted the game-tying goal against Cal State in the 58th minute. Two days later, Keller was an instrumental part of a Creighton defense that shut out No. 13 UC-Irvine, limiting the Anteaters to two first half shots and just eight overall.
GOALKEEPER OF THE WEEK
Connor Sparrow, Creighton, Sr., St. Louis, Mo. – Despite allowing his first goal of the season against Cal State Northridge in the second minute of play, Sparrow limited the damage by holding the Matadors scoreless the rest of the way. He went on to black No. 13 UC-Irvine for more than 74 minutes before giving way in the Bluejays’ 4-0 win. Sparrow notched three saves during the weekend. This is Sparrow’s second-straight Goalkeeper of the Week accolade.
ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Zach Zandi, Villanova, Fr.,M, West Chester, Pa. –After missing Tuesday’s win over Drexel due to an injury, Zandi set up both Wildcats goals on Saturday in his first appearance in front of the home crowd at the Higgins Soccer Complex helping the Wildcats win 2-1 in double overtime.
BIG EAST Men’s Soccer Weekly Honor Roll
David Goldsmith, Butler, Jr., F, Bristol, England – Scored two goals, including the game-winner in overtime for a 3-2 victory on Tuesday night at IUPUI.
Fabian Herbers, Creighton, Jr., F, Ahaus, Germany – Helped No. 3 Creighton remain undefeated with six points over two games, including the game-tying assist to set up his teammate Ricky Espin-Lopez in the 58th minute for a 2-1 win over Cal State Northridge. He also delivered two-goals and an assist against No. 13 UC Irvine in Creighton’s 4-0 victory.
Erik Rodriguez, DePaul, Jr., F, Elgin, Ill. – Scored two goals and added an assist in the Blue Demons’ first victory of the season, a 4-0 victory over Fordham at home. Rodriguez’s goals came on his only two shots.
Louis Bennett II, Marquette, Jr., M, Shorewood, Wis. – Bennett had his foot on the equalizer against UW-Milwaukee in the 73rd minute in what would eventually be a 1-1 draw on the road.
Ben Seguliic, Providence, GK, RS-So., Rye Brook, N.Y. – Registered two saves in a 1-1 tie at Holy Cross. One of the two saves was a diving swipe in the second half, canceling out one of the Crusaders’ best offensive chances.