A Trio of Wildcats Highlight the BIG EAST Men’s Soccer Weekly Honors
BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week
Miguel Polley, Villanova, RS-Jr., M (West Bloomfield, Mich.)
Redshirt junior midfielder Miguel Polley led the league in points last week with six as he had two goals and two assists in a 2-0 week for the Villanova Wildcats. In league play on Saturday, Polley scored what would be the eventual game-winning goal in the 21st minute to score a victory over No. 10 Creighton. In the 4-0 non-conference victory over Penn on Wednesday, Polley had a foot on all three goals as he assisted the first two and scored a second insurance goal in the 61st minute.
BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week
Eric McKenna, Villanova, Sr., M/D (Great River, N.Y.)
In a 2-0 week for Villanova, center back Eric McKenna helped the Wildcats to two shutouts. McKenna played an integral role in a Villanova defensive effort that limited Creighton to just five shots on goal in a 22 shot-effort. McKenna helped preserve a 1-0 Villanova lead from the first half. In the second half, Creighton had just seven shots. In the non-conference 4-0 victory over Penn, McKenna also scored his first goal of the season.
BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Week
Will Steiner, Villanova, Jr., GK (Point Lookout, N.Y.)
Junior keeper Will Steiner posted two shutouts in a 2-0 week for Villanova. Steiner totaled 10 saves on the week, five in each game. Steiner helped preserve a 1-0 upset for Villanova over No. 10 Creighton in league play on Saturday with three saves in the first half, two in the second. Steiner also had five saves in a 4-0 non-league win over Penn on Wednesday.
BIG EAST Freshman of the Week
Luka Prpa, Marquette, Fr., M, (Wind Lake, Wis.)
Freshman Luka Prpa helped Marquette to a high offensive performance against Xavier on Saturday as he scored two goals in a 4-1 win over the Musketeers. Prpa had four shots for the contest, the two on goal went in. He scored the first goal of the game on a PK in the 10th minute. Prpa then helped Marquette take a 2-0 lead with his second goal in the 18th minute. Prpa has eight goals on the year.
BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll
Eric Leonard, Butler, Jr., M (Palantine, Ill.)
Scored the eventual game-winning goal in the 22nd minute in a 1-0 win over Seton Hall on Saturday. It was his first goal of the 2016 season.
Peter Schropp, Georgetown, So., D (Omaha, Neb.)
Helped the Hoyas to a 1-0 win over St. John’s on Saturday holding the Red Storm to just 12 shots, three on goal. In midweek action, Schropp had a goal and sent in the free kick that led to the eventual match winner in a 4-3 double overtime victory.
Luis Barraza, Marquette, So., GK (Santa Teresa, N.M.)
Recorded a career-high nine saves facing 21 shots, 10 on goal helping preserve a 4-1 victory for Marquette over Xavier.
Daniel Szczepanek, Marquette, RS-Jr., M (Grayslake, Ill.)
Szczepanek tied a career high in points (4) with a goal and two assists in a 4-1 win over Xavier. He assisted on the eventual match winner in the 18th minute before providing the insurance tally in the 41st. He then assisted on Marquette’s final goal in the 48th minute.
Julian Gressel, Providence, Sr., M (Neustadt an der Aisch, Germany)
Had a foot on both goals in a 2-1 Providence win over DePaul. Gressel assisted on the Friars’ first goal in the 37th minute and scored the insurance goal in the 51st, unassisted.