Week 3 ended with several more big-time upsets and impactful performances within those games. Gardner-Webb and Louisville both had big weeks, each upsetting one of our top 10-ranked teams. The Clemson Tigers made an impact this past weekend, climbing to our #1 spot in the polls, and were led by our Player of the Week. Maryland’s freshman Rocket Ritarita also had a big week against Pacific.
Here’s a look at all the men’s soccer award winners for Week 3:
Team of the Week
Gardner-Webb
Gardner-Webb is off to a perfect start this year with a record of 5-0-0 and a goal differential of +11. Week 3 was their most impactful week so far as they picked up a huge 1-0 road win against our #9-ranked West Virginia. Tiago Campos’ first-half goal was enough to see the Runnin’ Bulldogs through in Morgantown, WV. They then finished the week with a 3-0 home win against East Tennessee State on Saturday. Franco Ocana, Jaylen Orr, and Javan Ochieng were the goal scorers against ETSU.
The Runnin’ Bulldogs host our #25-ranked Furman next Friday in a what should be a big-time matchup with ramifications on the top 25 rankings.
Player of the Week
Ransford Gyan – Sophomore – Midfielder – Clemson
Gyan and Clemson had a big weekend, beating Pittsburgh 3-2. The young midfielder was involved in all three goals for the Tigers (2g/1a) and has now had a brace in back-to-back games. Gyan leads the ACC with six goals scored this season and has nine goal contributions, which is good for the second most in the conference.
Next up for Gyan and the Tigers is a home matchup tonight against VCU.
Goalkeeper of the Week
Alex Svetanoff – R-Junior – Goalkeeper – Louisville
Svetanoff played a key role in Louisville’s massive upset over our #2-ranked Stanford in their ACC Conference opener, making four saves and keeping the clean sheet in their 1-0 win on Friday. Svetanoff has now kept four straight clean sheets to start the year.
Svetanoff and the Cardinals will travel to Columbus to play Ohio State tonight.
Freshman of the Week
Rocket Ritarita – Forward – Maryland
Ritarita scored his first college career goal on Saturday and also helped out with two assists against Pacific. The young forward now leads the Terrapins with five goal contributions (1g/4a) and has done it in a reserve role with only 76 total minutes played.
Ritarita and Maryland travel to Madison for a matchup against Wisconsin. It will be Maryland’s first Big Ten Conference game of the year.
