NEC Co-Players of the Week: Niklas Thanhofer, LIU & Nate Monteiro, STO
NEC Rookie of the Week: Andrew Marotta, LIU
Previous NEC Releases: October 6 | September 29 | September 22 | September 15 | September 8 | September 2 | August 25 | NEC Preseason Poll

NEC MEN'S SOCCER CO-PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Niklas Thanhofer, Sr., D, LIU
Obertrum Am See, Austria/SRG Slazburg (UIndy)
In an unbeaten week for the defending NEC champs, Thanhofer netted a pair of key goals in two matches. LIU found itself locked in a 1-1 stalemate against Le Moyne on Thursday before a foul awarded the Sharks a set piece in the 82nd minute. The 6-2 defender launched the free kick into the top right corner to secure the 2-1 triumph for the Sharks. In a rematch of the 2024 title tilt, Thanhofer headed in his league-leading sixth goal in game-tying fashion at FDU off a set piece in the 63rd minute. The Austria native is averaging a conference-best 1.08 points per game, while ranking first with 13 points. This marked Thanhofer’s second NEC Player of the Week nod of the season. LIU currently sits at 1-1-2 in NEC play.

Nate Monteiro, So., F, Stonehill
Brockton, MA/Cardinal Spellman
Monteiro led Stonehill to a 2-0 week in conference play while shining with some late-game heroics in the Skyhawks’ 3-2 win at Mercyhurst on Sunday afternoon. With just over a minute remaining, the sophomore forward pulled a shifty move to create space at the top of the 18 and rocketed in the game-winning goal top shelf. Additionally, Monteiro gave Stonehill its initial lead in the 62nd minute before Mercyhurst equalized just three minutes later. It was the Brockton, MA native’s first career multi-goal game. Monteiro has three goals on the year, which is tied for the third in the NEC rankings. Stonehill improved to 2-1-1 in conference action.

NEC MEN'S SOCCER ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Andrew Marotta, R-Fr., GK, LIU
Upper Brookville, NY/Chaminade
Claiming his third NEC Rookie of the Week nod, Marotta made nine saves in a 1-0-1 week for the Sharks. Registering a 1.00 GAA and .818 save percentage, the redshirt freshman made six stops during LIU’s 2-1 win against Le Moyne. The Long Island native added three more saves in a 1-1 stalemate at FDU, including a save on a Jaime Barbero header in the 87th minute to keep the match level. The 6-1 keeper leads the conference in GAA (.944) and save percentage (.769). Marotta became the first Shark to take home three NEC Rookie of the Week awards in a season since Joshua Saavedra in 2023.
 
NEC PRIME PERFORMERS
Ian Campbell, Jr., M, HU
Scored twice in Howard's 3-0 win at Central Connecticut on Sunday. 

Daniil Kaban, So., F, HU
Tallied three points off a goal and an assist during the Bison's 3-0 road victory over the Blue Devils. Tied for the third in conference with three goals. 

Liam Keiller, R-So., GK, HU
Stopped three shots during Sunday afternoon's 3-0 shutout of CCSU. 

Andrew Marotta, R-Fr., D, LIU
Tabbed NEC Rookie of the Week for the third time this season. 

Niklas Thanhofer, Sr., D, LIU
Garnered NEC Co-Player of the Week laurels, his second of the year. 

Diego Garciarena, Jr., GK, SFU
Posted a shutout while making one save during Saint Francis' 2-0 win at Chicago State. Tied for second in the NEC with two shutouts on the year. 

Shane Fonseca, Sr., F, STO
Netted the game-winning goal (6') in Stonehill's 1-0 win against New Haven. Dished an assist in the victory at Mercyhurst to bump his point total to three on the week. Tied for third in the NEC golden boot race with three scores. 

Cade Likhite, So., GK, STO
Posted a shutout of regionally ranked New Haven while making five saves against the Chargers. Registered a 1.00 GAA and a .714 save percentage in a 2-0 week for the Skyhawks. 

Nate Monteiro, So., F, STO
Named NEC Co-Player of the Week.

2025 NEC MEN'S SOCCER WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS

NEC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Aug. 25: Ryan Kipness, NHVN
Sept. 2: Lukian Lawro, NHVN
Sept. 8: Arnau Rabassa Guillamon, FDU & Shane Fonseca, STO
Sept. 15: Alessandro Bizzini, NHVN
Sept. 22: Niklas Thanhofer, LIU
Sept. 29: Eric Dlabal, FDU
Oct. 6: Jaime Barbero, FDU & Thero Mitchell III, SFU
Oct. 13: Niklas Thanhofer, LIU & Nate Monteiro, STO

NEC ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Aug. 25: David Ivascu, FDU
Sept. 2: Guilherme Meira, NHVN
Sept. 8: Andrew Marotta, LIU
Sept. 15: Santiago Marin Gutierrez, CCSU
Sept. 22: Naim Robinson, HU
Sept. 29: Andrew Marotta, LIU
Oct. 6: Thero Mitchell III, SFU
Oct. 13: Andrew Marotta, LIU