Ricky Lopez-Espin, Creighton
Creighton, Providence, Butler Marquette Represent #BEfútbol Weekly Five Accolades
BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week
Ricky Lopez-Espin, Creighton, Sr., F (Miami, Fla.)
Creighton senior forward Ricky Lopez-Espin had three goals in a 2-0 week for the Bluejays to lead the league. Lopez-Espin, the co-BIG EAST leader for points (20) and goals (9), had two goals in Creighton’s 4-1 win over Xavier on Saturday night, helping the Bluejays earn three critical points at the midway date in the league schedule. Lopez-Espin scored the opening goal in the 7th minute and an insurance goal in the 59th to put CU up 3-1. The senior co-captain also scored a goal during Creighton’s 6-1 win on Tuesday against Drake.
BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week
Brian Kennedy, Providence, RS-Sr., D (Upland, Calif.)
Providence senior defender Brian Kennedy started at right back last week, helping the Friars to a 2-0 week against non-conference opponent Brown and league foe Seton Hall. He helped a defense that held Seton Hall to just seven shots, one on goal. Against Brown, an overtime win for the Friars, Kennedy helped keep the Bears to eight shots. Adding on the offensive end, Kennedy recorded his first career point on an assist against Brown, helping PC go up 1-0 in the first half.
BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Week
Eric Dick, Butler, RS-Sr.,GK (Carmel, Ind.)
Butler senior Eric Dick earns his fourth BIG EAST keeper of the week honor after a six-save shutout performance against DePaul on Saturday night. It was Dick’s fifth shutout of the season. The six saves were just one shy of his season-high of seven in the match against Georgetown. Dick has orchestrated shutouts in three of the team’s five BIG EAST contests so far this season. The win helped keep Butler at the top of the standings at 4-1 with Georgetown.
BIG EAST Freshman of the Week
Manuel Cukaj, Marquette, Fr., D, Mannheim, Germany
Marquette freshman Manuel Cukaj made his first appearance in five games against St. John’s on Saturday, returning from injury. Cukaj helped the Golden Eagles register their first shutout in a 1-0 overtime win at St. John’s on Saturday. The Red Storm had just three shots on goal. The three points propelled Marquette from a tie for seventh to a tie for third place and in tournament contention.
BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll
Brandon Guhl, Butler, So., F (Houston, Texas)
Co-BIG EAST points and goals leader Brandon Guhl scored both goals in No. 20 Butler’s 2-0 win over DePaul on Saturday. His goals were scored in the 10th and 81st minutes.
Derek Dodson, Georgetown, Fr., F (Aurora, Ill.)
Dodson had a three-point week with a goal in the loss to then-No. 19 Duke and an assist in the 2-0 win over Villanova.
JT Marcinkowski, Georgetown, Jr., GK (Alamo, Texas)
Marcinkowski posted his fifth shutout of the year for No. 9 Georgetown with five saves against Villanova in a 2-0 road win. Marcinkowski had a 1-1 week with a loss to then-No. 19 Duke, 2-1.
Connor Alba, Marquette, So., F (Waukesha, Wis.)
Scored the game-winning goal in Marquette’s 1-0 double overtime win at St. John’s on Saturday.
Joao Serrano, Providence, RS-So., M (Evora, Portugal)
Had a four-point week with two assists in the 3-1 win over Seton Hall, also scored the game-winning goal in OT in the Friars’ OT win over Brown on Wednesday.