College Soccer News' National Team of the Week recognizes individual performers across the country on both sides of the ball who played a key role in the success that their teams enjoyed during the week.
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Kristo Strickler Junior Forward Virginia Tech |
Strickler is a playmaker. He converted a header out of a throw-in and a header out of a free kick to power Virginia Tech past New Hampshire 4-1. He has scored eleven times and contributed three assists so far this year. The Hokies advance to the third round to face Stanford. |
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Rodney Michael Junior Forward UC Santa Barbara |
Michael scored in UCSB's 3-1 win over California and scored twice in their 4-0 win on the road over Saint Mary's. Michael continues to be a catalyst on the offensive side of the ball for the Gauchos. UCSB advances to face Indiana in Bloomington. |
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Grayson Barber Sophomore Forward Clemson |
Barber sent a one timer into the lower left corner of the frame from the edge of the box in overtime to give Clemson the edge they needed to survive and advance past Charlotte 2-1. The number two seeded Tigers will host Providence in the Sweet Sixteen. The goal was Barber's tenth of the year and fourth game-winner. |
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Victor Bezerra Freshman Forward Indiana |
Bezerra scored twice in the first haf of play and once in the second to lead the Hoosiers past Kentucky 3-0 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. He has scored eight times this year and contributed three assists. The Hoosiers will welcome UCSB to Bloomington on Sunday. |
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Trevor Davock RS Senior Forward Providence |
Davock contributed a goal in Providence's 2-0 first round win over NJIT. He also contributed the game-winning goal in overtime and assisted on the goals scored by Esben Wolf and Tiago Mendonca in Providence's 3-2 win over Penn State. The Friars advance to face Clemson. |
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Deri Corfe Senior Midfielder Wright State |
Corfe assisted on Alex Hummel's goal and scored what proved to be the game-winner in Wright State's 3-2 upset win over Notre Dame in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Wright State then tied thirteen seeded Michigan 0-0 but came out on the short end of a penalty kick shootout. Corfe had a thirteen goal and eight assist season. |
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Gino Vivi Freshman Midfielder UCF |
Vivi is a playmaker. He assisted on the goals scored by teammates Yoni Sorokin and Cal Jennings to help UCF come from behind to top a very good Missouri State team in overtime 2-1. UCF advances to its first ever berth in the Sweet Sixteen where they will tangle with SMU in Dallas. |
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Blake Bodily Junior Midfielder Washington |
Bodily scored from inside the six yard box and contributed the helper on teammate Jaret Townsend's goal to help the Huskies top Boston College 2-0 and advance to the Sweet Sixteen where they will host a very good Marshall team. Bodily has scored eleven times and contributed six assists. |
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Tanner Beason RS Senior Defender Stanford |
Beason scored Stanford's lone goal in regulation in his second match back after missing eight games due to injury. He also converted his attempt in the penalty kick shootout that was necessary to determine who advanced after Stanford and Seattle were tied 1-1 at the end of 110 minutes of play. The Cardinal advanced to the Sweet Sixteen where they will face Virginia Tech. |
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Dylan Nealis Senior Defender Georgetown |
Nealis is an opportunistic playmaker who makes good things happen for the Hoyas. He scored in the fifth minute of play with a double assist from from Derek Doson and Dante Polara and added another goal in the second half to play a key role in Georgetown's 5-0 thumping of Pitt. The Hoyas punch their ticket to the Sweet Sixteen where they will host Louisville. |
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Andrew Thomas RS Sophomore Goalkeeper Stanford |
Thomas stopped four of Seattle's five attempts in a penalty kick shootout to give the Cardinal the edge they needed to advance past Seattle after the two teams were tied 1-1 at the conclusion of regulation and overtime. Stanford advanes to host Virginia Tech in the Sweet Sixteen. |
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Jake Gelnovatch Junior Goalkeeper Louisville |
Gelnovatch was a differnce maker in goal with a seven save evening to play a key role in Louisville's 1-0 win on the road over a very good UC Davis team. The Cardinals advance to face Georgetown in the third round of the NCAA Tournament. |
