CAC -- The Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) has announced its weekly awards following the fifth week of the 2019 men's soccer season. Mary Washington senior midfielder Gabriel Soriano earned CAC Offensive Player of the Week accolades, while Christopher Newport senior goalkeeper Justin Piercy claimed CAC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Gabriel Soriano - Mary Washington
Senior midfielder Gabriel Soriano led #14 Mary Washington past St. Mary's on Saturday, scoring one goal and assisting on three others as the Eagles topped the Seahawks, 4-0. The senior has four goals and four assists on the season, including two game-winning goals.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Justin Piercy - Christopher Newport
Christopher Newport senior goalkeeper Justin Piercy picked up the shutout against York in the conference opener by making eight saves. Piercy also added an assist on the offensive side with a booming pass that bounced over the Spartans defense and was scored by Justin Wilson.
HONORABLE MENTION
OFFENSE: Justin Wilson (CNU), Cullen Myers (SAL), Zander Budd (SVU)
DEFENSE: Ken Kurtz (UMW), Jacob Solis (SVU)
LEAGUE NOTES
Christopher Newport junior Justin Wilson cored two of the Captains three goals this week against York (Pa.) in the conference opener. Nearly missed a hat trick with several close calls against the Spartans, including a highlight-reel bicycle kick that just sailed high of the crossbar. He finished the game with nine total shots and five on-goal. The game-winning goal came under three minutes into the game as he finished a booming assist from goalkeeper Justin Piercy by chipping the Spartans goalkeeper. He would add a second goal in the 21st minute when he scored off a pass by Will Collins...Salisbury sophomore Cullen Myers tallied five points in a split of two games last week. Myers was a catalyst of Salisbury's second-half push after trailing 2-0 at halftime on Wednesday against Catholic. Myers scored a goal on a penalty kick and assisted on Matt Hawkins's goal in the second half. Myers added a goal in Salisbury 2-1 win over Southern Virginia in their CAC opener on Saturday...Zander Budd led the Southern Virginia offense scoring a pair of goals to help split the week 1-1. His two goals were the only goals scored in the Southern Virginia win over Wilson as he shot 50 percent on the game...Mary Washington junior Ken Kurtz extended his shutout streak as #14 Mary Washington topped St. Mary's, 4-0, on Saturday. He registered three saves, extending his scoreless streak to 449 minutes of action...Southern Virginia senior Jacob Solis continued his strong senior season after totaling 19 saves anchoring the Knights defense as they went 1-1. He shined with his second shutout of the season blanking Wilson for a 2-0 Southern Virginia victory. Solis sits atop the CAC in total saves with 71 and is positioned fourth in save percentage (.789).
PREVIOUS WINNERS
Sept. 2: OFF: Khalid Balogun (SMC), DEF: Billy Bridegum (YCP)
Sept. 9: OFF: Khalid Balogun (SMC), DEF: Billy Bridegum (YCP)
Sept. 16: OFF: Travis Gould (YCP), DEF: Ken Kurtz (UMW)
Sept. 23: OFF: Khalid Balogun (SMC), DEF: Ryan Miller (SAL)
Sept. 30: OFF: Gabriel Soriano (UMW), DEF: Justin Piercy (CNU)