The College Soccer News National Team of the Week reflects key individual performers across the country in a week which was highlighted by conference tournaments and the automatic berths that accompany them.
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Marcel Zajac Junior Forward Akron |
Zajac was a force on the offensive side of the ball as Akron defeated SIUE 2-1, West Virginia 3-1 and Western Michigan 3-0 to claim the MAC Conference Tournament Title. He netted the game-winner against SIU, contributed an assit in the win over West Virginia, and scored twice in the win over Western Michigan. |
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Tate Schmitt Senior Forward Louisville |
Schmitt was named the MVP of the ACC Tournament after contributing a goal and two assists as the number four seeded Cardinals topped number one seed Wake Forest 2-1 and number two seed North Carolina 1-0 to win the ACC Tournament. |
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JJ Williams Junior Forward Kentucky |
Williams sloted a shot into the back post that was set up by a cross from Kalil Elmedkhar in Kentucky's 2-1 win over Marshall. He also netted the lone goal in Kentucky's 1-0 win over Charlotte in the CUSA Championship match. Williams has found the back of the net a total of sixteen times so far this year. |
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Laurence Wyke Senior Midfielder Furman |
Wyke was solid on both sides of the ball as Furman claimed the Southern Conference Tournament title with wins over ETSU 2-1 and UNCG 3-0. Wyke scored the game-winner in overtime out of a corner kick in the game with ETSU. He also contributed the helper on one of Emery May's two goals in the contest with UNCG. |
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Cory Thomas RS Senior Midfielder Indiana |
Thomas was a catalyst in the center of the park for the Hoosiers who captured the Big Ten Tournament by advancing past Maryland in a penalty kick shootout and Michigan 3-0 in the championship contest. Thomas converted his penalty kick in the shootout against Maryland and scored in the win over Michigan. |
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Daniel Aguirre Sophomore Midfielder UC Riverside |
Aguirre is among the reasons why UC Riverside's magical run continues. He scored with an assist from Antonio Lokossou in the Highlanders 3-2 win over CS Fullerton. He also converted his penalty kick in the pk shootout as UC Riverside advanced past UC Davis after the game was scoreless at the conclusion of regularion and overtime. |
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Hannes Burmeister Senior Midfielder Georgia State |
Burmeister scored three times to help power Georgia State past rival Georgia Southern 4-2 to secure GSU's first ever Sun Belt title and return to the NCAA Tourney field for the first time since 2011. The Panthers defeated Coastal Carolina 2-1 to advance to the championship match. |
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Oliver Harris Senior Midfielder Colgate |
Harris was a difference maker as Colgate defeated American 3-2, Lehigh 2-1 and Army 1-0 to claim the programs third straight Patriot League Championship. He contribututed two assists in the win over American and scored twice in the win over Lehigh. |
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Jacob Graiber RS Sophomore Defender UIC |
Graiber was rock solid playmaker on the defensive side of the ball for the Flames who advanced past IUPUI in a contest that was decided by a penalty kick shootout and then topped Wright State 3-1 to win the Horizon League Championship. Graiber was named the Tournament MVP. |
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Brendan McDonough Senior Defender Georgetown |
McDonough was part of a Hoyas defense that shutout Providence 4-0 and Marquette 2-0 to capture the Big East Championship. McDonough also converted a header out of a corner kick served in by teammate Kyle Zajec in the championship game. |
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Josh Bauer Sophomore Defender New Hampshire |
Bauer was part of a Wildcat defense that shutout UMass Lowell 2-0 and UMBC 5-0 to win New Hampshire's first ever America East Tournament championship. For his efforts he was named the Tournament's Most Outstanding Player. |
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George Tasouris RS Freshman Goalkeeper Grand Canyon |
Tasouris had a total of twenty-two saves between the pipes to solidify a stout Grand Canyon defense that shutout Utah Valley 1-0, Air Force 1-0, and San Jose State 1-0 to claim the WAC Tournament Championship for the first time in the history of the program. |
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Pablo Gatinois Sophomore Goalkeeper Rider |
Gatinois anchored a stout Rider defense that shutout Iona 2-0, Fairfield, 2-0 and Quinnipiac 1-0 to secure the program's third MAAC Championship in the past four seasons. He posted a career high ten saves in the championship contest with Quinnipiac. |
