NEC Player of the Week: Laurie Goddard, MC
NEC Rookie of the Week: Tiago Bittencourt, STO
Previous NEC Releases: September 25 |
September 18 |
September 11 |
September 5 |
August 28 |
NEC Preseason Poll
NEC MEN'S SOCCER PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Laurie Goddard, So., MF, MC
London, England/Alleyn's School
During the second week of NEC action, the Warriors picked up their first league win, unleashing six goals in a 6-0 shutout on its home turf over Howard. Merrimack produced the highest goal total in an NEC match so far this season with four different players on the scoresheet. Merrimack's offense was piloted by Goddard, who completed a 15 minute hat-trick to open the game. He became the second NEC player this season to produce three goals in a game and first to do so in one half. The sophomore midfielder's first goal came in the 10th minute of the game after following up on a shot that ricocheted off the post and fell to his feet. In the 14th minute, Goddard was fed a driven through ball on the ground to the back post where he had a one-touch finish past the keeper. Just a minute later, Merrimack strung together three passes in transition to goal where senior Juri Schlingmann unselfishly laid it to Goddard, who buried a one-time lefty finish to complete the hat-trick. The London, England native has four goals on the season. He is the leading goal scorer for his squad and ranks fourth in the NEC. His nine points is tied for fifth on the circuit.
NEC MEN'S SOCCER ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Tiago Bittencourt, Fr., F, STO
Charlotte, NC/Ardrey Kell
In Stonehill's only match of the week, the Skyhawks split points with Sacred Heart in a thrilling fashion in Easton. After conceding a goal in the 75th minute, Stonehill drew a foul and lined up a free kick just outside the box with an appealing angle for a lefty. With 22 seconds remaining until the final whistle, the rookie from Charlotte, NC struck a beautiful well-paced curler into the upper left frame of the goal to equalize the game. Stonehill salvaged a point in their second tie in NEC play and lwill ook to earn their first win this week.
NEC PRIME PERFORMERS
Austin Rocke, Jr., MF, CCSU
- On Sunday, Rocke scored both of CCSU's goals in a 3-2 defeat to Le Moyne.
- The junior midfielder has scored in both NEC contests this season and produced at least one goal in four of his last five games.
- He is the leading goal scorer for the Blue Devils with five goals and is tied for the NEC lead in goals and points (11).
Spencer King, Gr., GK, FDU
- In a 1-1 draw on Sunday against Saint Francis U, King posted four saves and allowed one goal.
- The graduate keeper denied a penalty kick in the sixth minute of the game, his third PK save in four attempts this season.
Noah Sperduto, Jr., F, LEM
- Sperduto tallied a pair of goals in Le Moyne's 1-0-1 week that included the program's first NEC win.
- The junior forward scored in the 13th minute to even the score at one in a 2-2 draw at Canisius on Wednesday.
- On Sunday, he netted the third goal in the 83rd minute of a 3-2 victory at CCSU as the Dolphins claimed their first victory of the season.
Emil Jaaskelainen, Sr., F, LIU
- On Sunday, Jaaskelainen snapped a five-match scoreless streak, producing a brace in a 2-1 triumph over Sacred Heart on the road.
- Both goals came from back-post finishes from crossed in by teammate Alan Martinez.
- The senior ranks in the NEC top-five in goals (four), assists (three) and points (11).
Alan Martinez, Jr., MF, LIU
- In a 2-1 victory over Sacred Heart, Martinez found Jaaskelainen at the far post on two occasions to seal three points in league play.
- The junior midfielder is tied for the conference lead with four assists on the season.
Laurie Goddard, So., MF, MC
- Goddard produced a 15-minute hat-trick in a 6-0 win over Howard on Sunday to help secure Merrimack's first win of NEC action.
- The sophomore midfielder is the second NEC player to record a three-goal game and first to do so in a single half.
- Tabbed NEC Player of the Week.
Tiago Bittencourt, Fr., F, STO
- On Thursday, Bittencourt equalized the game with 22 seconds left on the clock on a free kick against Sacred Heart.
- Tabbed NEC Rookie of the Week.
2023 NEC MEN'S SOCCER WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Aug. 28: Torren Aikens, SFU
Sept. 5: Ben Assane Fall, LIU
Sept. 11: Spencer King, FDU
Sept. 18: Spencer King, FDU
Sept. 25: Jayd Hamdaoua, FDU
Oct. 2: Laurie Goddard, MC
ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Aug. 28: Álvaro Planas, SFU
Sept. 5: Joschi Schelb, SFU
Sept. 11: Joschi Schelb, SFU
Sept. 18: Fabian Wagner, SFU
Sept. 25: Jonathan Ghobrial, FDU
Oct. 2: Tiago Bittencourt, STO