Men’s Soccer Player of the Week: Geo Rios, Clayton State
Rios earns his second straight weekly honor after adding three more assists to his NCAA Division II-leading total. The junior midfielder from Lawrenceville, Ga., had two assists in Clayton State’s 5-0 win at Georgia Southwestern. He had his first on the game-winning opening goal, finding Vic Delgado Miller, then added another on the third goal. Trailing Flagler 1-0 with under 17 minutes to play, Rios sent in a short corner that was put home by John Michael Torres in what finished as a 1-1 tie, keeping Clayton State in second place in the PBC standings. Rios’ 11 assists on the season not only leads NCAA Division II, it is tied for second among all three divisions.
Men’s Soccer Defender of the Week: John Michael Torres, Clayton State
Torres guided the Laker defense to a 1-0-1 record on the week. The junior from Lilburn, Ga., played all 90 minutes as Clayton State shutout Georgia Southwestern 5-0, holding the Hurricanes to just one shot, the first time GSW had been held to fewer than six shots in a game this season. That clean sheet was the second in a row for the Lakers and fourth of the year. Torres followed that up by providing assist on the equalizing goal in a 1-1 tie against Flagler. The one goal allowed by the Lakers came on a PK as they held the Saints to five shots on goal. Torres sent in a shot off a short corner that was rebounded, leading to the equalizer with under 17 minutes to play. Clayton State is tied for third in the PBC in shutouts and is fourth in team goals allowed average.
Men’s Soccer Goalkeeper of the Week: Tirso Trueba, Flagler
Trueba was impressive in two outings in goal last week, playing all 180 minutes as the Saints went 1-0-1. The sophomore from Puebla, Mexico, recorded his second shutout of the season in a 1-0 win at Young Harris, making two saves on nine shots faced. He made four more saves on nine more shots in a 1-1 tie against Clayton State, the lone goal coming on a rebound after he made a save. Trueba is currently second in the PBC in saves per game, third in goals allowed average and tied for third in shutouts.
For a complete list of men’s soccer weekly award winners, please click here.