It was another big week, with significant movement in the top 25 and key performances from players who helped their teams achieve this success. Virginia put up a six-goal performance against #5 Wake Forest. Donavan Phillip helped NC State maintain their top spot in our coaches’ poll. Queens earned a shock clean sheet against #6 Clemson, and Michigan jumped up the rankings with the help of their goalkeeper.
Here are our men’s soccer awards for Week 5:
Team of the Week
Virginia
The Cavaliers went up 4-0 against Wake Forest at halftime. They had a fifth in the second half before Wake Forest started to find a response. The Demon Deacons were able to get three back, but by then it was too late. Virginia capped off the strong attacking performance with a sixth goal in the waning minutes of the match to win 6-3. Nicholas Simmonds had a brace, and Bacary Tandjigora, Sebastian Pop, and Samuel Oulouheu all scored their first goals of the season, while Luke Burns added his second of the campaign.
Virginia’s game tonight was canceled, so their next game is this Saturday against North Carolina.
Offensive Player of the Week
Donavan Phillip – Junior – Forward – NC State
Phillip had as many goals this past week as he did all last season for the Wolfpack. He put up four against William & Mary last Tuesday en route to a 7-0 win, and then he added a brace against Boston College in a 2-0 win on Friday. He now has three multi-goal performances this year. The junior forward now has 12 goals on the season, leading all Division I men’s soccer in 2025.
Next up for Phillip and NC State is a trip to Pittsburgh on Friday.
Defensive Player of the Week
Otto Gustafsson – Junior – Queens
Gustafsson and Queens had a massive performance against Clemson this past week, holding on to win 1-0 against the top 10 side. It was also their fourth straight clean sheet since allowing six goals against Charlotte earlier in the season. Gustafsson was a key piece to Queens’ most recent performance, as they allowed 18 shots, with only three on frame. The Gustafsson-led defense only allowed three total shots in the first half, giving them the chance to take a lead and hold it on the road. The junior defender is leading the team in outfield player minutes, and that looks likely to be a key part of the defense tonight as they continue their South Carolina road trip against the Gamecocks.
Goalkeeper of the Week
Isaiah Goldson – Junior – Michigan
Goldson helped Michigan to back-to-back Big Ten wins with a four-save shutout against Washington on the road. This was the junior goalkeeper’s third clean sheet of the season, but first away from Ann Arbor. This latest result has put the Wolverines at the top of the Big Ten through the early stages of conference play.
Michigan will host its in-state rival, Michigan State, this Friday as Big Ten action continues.
Freshman of the Week
Nicholas Simmonds – Forward – Virginia
Simmonds had his first career brace as he scored the first two goals in a massive win for the Cavaliers against our #5-ranked Wake Forest. The young forward now has four goals on the year and leads Virginia in goals and is second on the team in goal contributions (5).
Simmonds will look to keep his scoring momentum going this weekend against the Tar Heels.
