The final College Soccer News National Team of the Week for the 2018 season reflects clutch individual performances during the Sweet Sixteen. Only eight teams remain standing on the road to the College Cup in Santa Barbara.
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William James Herve Freshman Forward Maryland |
Herve's volley into the back of the frame after receiving a cross from teammate Paul Bin proved to be the game-winner as Maryland defeated number six seed Duke 2-0 in Durham to improve to 10-6-4 and advance to the Elite Eight. |
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Marzel Zajac Junior Forward Akron |
Zajac continues to be a difference maker for Akron. He netted the game-winning goal with a double assist from David Egbo and Abdi Mohamed in Akron's 1-0 win on the road over number one seed Wake Forest. Zajac has recoreded eight goals and seven assists to date. |
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Jack Lynn Freshman Forward Notre Dame |
Close contests hinge on someone making a big play. Lynn did just that when he decisively drove a header into the near post after receiving a cross from Tommy McCabe with one second remaining in the first overtime period. Lynn's golden goal was the difference maker in Notre Dame's 1-0 win over Virginia. The Irish are in the Elite Eight for the first time since 2013. |
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Michael Miller Sophomore Midfielder Michigan State |
Miller's first goal of the season was a big one. With less than a minute remaining in the first stanza of play he drilled a shot from long range into the lower right corner. The goal gave Michigan State the edge they needed to top Georgetown 1-0 to reach the Elite Eight for the fourth time in the last six seasons. |
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Marcel Meinzer Freshman Midfielder Kentucky |
Meinzer has been a catalyst in the center of the park for Kentucky. He contributed an assist on the goals scored by teammates Jason Reyes and Bailey Rouse in Kenturck's 2-1 win over Lipscomb. The Wildcats improve to 19-1-1 and advance to the Elite Eight. |
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Trevor Swartz RS Senior Midfielder Indiana |
The Hoosier linkman from Cameron Park, California upped his assist total to fifteen for the season by contributing a helper on the goals scored by Austin Panchot and Timmy Mehl to help Indiana defeat Air Force 2-0 to improve to 19-2-1 and advance to the Elite Eight. |
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Bailey Rouse Sophomore Midfielder Kentucky
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Rouse came up big for Kentucky when he chested in a free kick served in by teammate Marcel Meinzer. His goal proved to be the game-winner in Kentucky's 2-1 win over Lipscomb. The goal was Rouse's second of the season. The Wildcats advance to the Elite Eight where they will host Maryland. |
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Thomas Shores Senior Defender James Madison |
Shores was a key part of a JMU defense along with backs Petur Thorsteinsson, Shaun McKenna and Tom Judge and goalkeeper TJ Bush that shutout Virginia Tech 3-0. The Dukes have allowed only one goal in their three wins to date in the NCAA Tourney. A hot JMU team advances to face Michigan State in the Elite Eight. |
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Timmy Mehl RS Senior Defender Indiana
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Mehl headed in the insurance goal from close range in Indiana's 2-0 win over Air Force and contributed an assist on Austin Panchot game-winning goal. He also was part of a very solid Hoosier backline. IU advances to the Elite Eight for the twenty-seventh time in the history of the program. |
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Patrick Nielsen RS Sophomore Defender Michigan State |
Nielsen was a key part of a very solid Michigan State defense along with backs John Freitag, Connor Corrigan and Michael Wetungu and goalkeeper Jimmy Hague. The Spartans contained a potent Georgetown attack in route to recording a 1-0 shutout. Michigan State hosts JMU on Saturday. |
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Andrew Thomas RS Freshman Goalkeeper Stanford |
Thomas' play between the pipes enabled the Cardinal to advance past Saint Mary's in a penalty kick shootout after the teams concludied 110 minutes of play without a goal. He had eleven saves and two key stops in the penalty kick shootout. Stanford will host Akron in the Elite Eight on Friday. |
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Dayne St. Clair RS Junior Goalkeeper Maryland |
St. Clair had an eight save evening in goal to anchor a Terp defense that along with backs Donovan Pines, Johannes Bergmann, Ben Di Rosa and Chase Gasper shutout a good Duke attack on the road 2-0. Maryland advances to the Elite Eight to face Kentucky. |
