GNAC Men's Soccer Report: Week 1

(FOR THE WEEK OF AUG. 31-SEPT. 2)

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Riley McNicholas, Johnson & Wales (RI) (Jr, D - Hopkington, NH)

Had the game-winner in both of JWU's wins last week with both coming in overtime. First one came with two minutes left against Plymouth State. Second came just two minutes into the game against Wheaton. 

GOALKEEPER OF THE WEEK

Blake Mullen, Saint Joseph's (Maine) (Sr, GK - Manchester, Conn.)

Mullen continued to stymie opposing offenses with a pair of shutouts, as the senior keeper posted goose-egg efforts versus Gordon College and reigning CCC Champion Endicott College over the weekend. Mullen was tremendous in the 1-0 win over Endicott, making six saves and negating numerous corner kick opportunities in the thrilling triumph.

ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

Amerlin Nemeye, Norwich (Fr., M - Burlington, Vt.)

Nemeye had an impressive debut for Norwich, scoring a goal in each game, as well as adding an assist for a five-point week to lead the Cadets' offense in a 1-0-1 weekend. He scored on a penalty kick to briefly give Norwich the lead versus Lasell late in the second half. Nemeye also tallied a goal and an assist in a 4-0 win over NVU-Lyndon on Saturday. 


WEEK 1 HONOR ROLL

Ryan Todesco, Anna Maria (Jr., D/M - Southwick, Mass.) - In a win over Southern Vermont College on Saturday, Todesco scored the first AMCAT goal of the season and assisted on a Connor Francis goal that proved to be the game winner over the Mountaineers. 

JP Rioux, Johnson & Wales (RI) (Fr., F - Stony Point, NY) - Assisted on both game-winning goals in the first two games of his collegiate career...First came in the second overtime against Plymouth State and the second came in overtime. Also scored the first goal of his collegiate career in the second half against the Lyons.

Jackson Burhans, Lasell (Jr., GK - Berlin, N.Y.) - Made 12 saves on 13 shots on Saturday as Lasell earned a 1-1 GNAC tie against Norwich in the season opener. Norwich was picked third in the GNAC preseason poll and Lasell was picked 11th. He made six saves in a scoreless first half, four saves in the second half, and two in the first overtime.

Sawyer Geelan, Lasell (Sr., D - Guilford, Conn.) - Scored the game-tying goal with 6:39 remaining in regulation play on Saturday as Lasell earned a 1-1 GNAC tie against Norwich in the season opener. Norwich was picked third in the GNAC preseason poll and Lasell was picked 11th.

Derek Triana, Regis (Mass.) (Sr., F - Port St. Lucie, Fla.) - Triana extended his school record for most career goals Sunday, converting on a penalty kick early in overtime to give Regis a 1-0 road victory over Lesley. It was Triana's 37th career goal at Regis, including his eighth career game-winning tally and his second penalty kick goal. 

Daniel Castro, Saint Joseph (Conn.) (Fr., Willimantic, Conn.) - Castro netted a pair of second-half goals to secure the first-ever USJ men's soccer victory in the history of the University as the Blue Jays toppled MCLA, 5-0, on the road on Friday evening. He found the back of the net in the 82nd and 83rd minutes, beating the Trailblazers' keeper twice in a span of 1:01 to put the game away in the Blue Jays' program and season opener.

The Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) is an NCAA Division III association made up of 13 member institutions and over 3,000 student-athletes across the New England region. Founded in 1995, the GNAC annually sponsors and administers 20 championships, while balancing academic integrity, athletic opportunity and community involvement in an effort to enhance the student-athlete experience. 

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