NEC Player of the Week: Luke Ayaz, FDU
NEC Rookie of the Week: Pol Bota Gutierrez, NHVN

Previous NEC Releases: August 31 | August 24 | NEC Preseason Poll

NEC MEN'S SOCCER PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Luke Ayaz, Jr., F, FDU
Washington, NJ/Westwood Regional
In a 3-0 week for the preseason favorite Knights, Ayaz led the offensive charge as FDU remained unbeaten on the season. The junior forward scored twice across three matches as his first goal opened the scoring in the Knights’ 2-1 victory over Rider. Ayaz rocketed the ball into the bottom right corner from the top of the box during a fastbreak play in the 24th minute. The first team NEC all-star added his second goal of the week at the 77:15 minute mark of the Knights’ 4-1 triumph of Siena on Thursday night. Ayaz’s score gave FDU a commanding 3-1 lead just minutes after Arjun Venkat gave FDU a one goal advantage. It marked his first two scores of the season. This is Ayaz’s first career NEC Player of the Week award. It is also the fourth straight year multiple FDU players have taken home the accolade.

NEC MEN'S SOCCER ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Pol Bota Gutierrez, Fr., M, New Haven
West Haven, CT/Verduna Girona
Bota Gutierrez netted the game-winning goal for New Haven in its 2-0 victory over Quinnipiac on Wednesday night. Locked in a scoreless stalemate, Gage Estep booted the ball into the box where Bota Gutierrez settled it, skipped it over the Bobcat keeper and into the net with his left foot in the 65th minute. The Chargers would go on to lock up the victory with another score just eight minutes later. The freshman midfielder’s goal marked the first of his collegiate career. Bota Gutierrez is the second New Haven player ever to take home NEC Rookie of the Week honors with Guilherme Meira earning the distinction a season ago.

NEC PRIME PERFORMERS

Santiago Marin, 2nd, M, CCSU
Scored twice in CCSU's 3-0 victory over VMI on August 31. Tied for the second-most goals in the conference with three on the year and ranks second in the league for points per game (1.75). 

Luke Ayaz, Jr., F, FDU
Named NEC Player of the Week. 

Matheus Franca, Sr., GK, FDU
Across 270 minutes in goal, Franca made eight saves to finish the week with a .800 save percentage and 0.67 GAA, while allowing just two scores on the week. Posted his second clean sheet of the season in FDU's 1-0 win over Villanova on Monday. Leads the league in save percentage (.857) along with being tied with a conference-best two shutouts. Ranks second in the NEC with a 0.60 GAA. 

Ryan Kopay, Sr., M, FDU
Netted the game-winning goal in FDU's 1-0 triumph of BIG EAST foe Villanova on the road. Kopey found the back of the net off a rebound in the 72nd minute to lift the Knights over the Wildcats. Dished an assist to Ayaz in the defending conference champs' 2-1 triumph of Rider. 

Jeremie Pelade, So., F, FDU
Made the game-winning score for the Knights off a penalty kick against the Broncs last week. Assisted on Ayaz's goal in FDU's 4-1 rout of Siena. 

Alvar Silva, Sr., M, MU
Scored twice in an unbeaten week for Mercyhurst. Opened the scoring in the 44th minute of the Lakers' 2-2 draw against Detroit Mercy. Gave Mercyhurst a two-goal advantage at the 64:15 minute mark as it defeated Canisius, 3-1, on Saturday. Leads the NEC in goals (four), goals per game (0.80), points (nine) andf points per game (1.80).

Pol Bota Gutierrez, Fr., M, NHVN
Tabbed as NEC Rookie of the Week. 

Luke Fiscella, Jr., D, NHVN
In the 72nd minute of New Haven's win against Quinnipiac, Fiscella launched the ball into the back of the net from the edge of the 18-yard box to extend the Chargers' lead late. 

Garrett Smith, Gr., GK, NHVN
Produced a shutout while making five stops during a 2-0 victory over Quinnipiac. Sits at fifth in the conference rankings for GAA (1.67). 

Killian Doherty, Fr., F, STO
Tallied a goal and an assist for Stonehill last week. Opened the scoring for the Skyhawks in their 2-2 draw at Army at the 9:29 minute mark. Assisted on Nate Monteiro's score 15 minutes after his goal to give Stonehill a 2-1 advantage early. Tied for first in the conference for game-winning goals (two) and assists (two), while being tied for second with three goals on the year.

2026 NEC MEN'S SOCCER WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS

NEC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Aug. 24: Killian Doherty, STO
Aug. 31: Jeremie Pelade, FDU
Sept. 8: Luke Ayaz, FDU
Sept. 14: 

NEC ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Aug. 24: Killian Doherty, STO
Aug. 31: Max Beech, MU
Sept. 8: Pol Bota Gutierrez, NHVN
Sept. 14: