Big South Announces Men's Soccer Players of the Week - Oct. 2
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (www.BigSouthSports.com) – USC Upstate forward Jeremy Montero (Benicarlo, Spain) has been named the Big South Men’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week, while UNC Asheville defender Benian Yao (Waxhaw, N.C.) is the Defensive Player of the Week for matches played Sept. 25-Oct. 1, it was announced today. In addition, Spartan goalkeeper Cooper Jennings (Murrells Inlet, S.C.) has been selected as the Freshman of the Week.
Montero tallied four points on two goals in an unbeaten week for the Spartans. Both of his goals came on the road at South Carolina on Tuesday, as the senior team captain posted an unassisted score in the 23rd minute and another at the 55:58 mark in the second half to lead USC Upstate over the Gamecocks, 4-0. Later in the week, he also sent both of his shots on target at Winthrop in a 1-1 draw against the Eagles on Saturday night.
Yao scored the game-winning goal while simultaneously helping anchor UNC Asheville to a defensive shutout in its only match at Longwood. The junior broke through with his first-career goal in the 35th minute on Saturday, doing so off an assist from teammate Stewart Patnaud to put Asheville ahead for good, 1-0. Defensively, Yao and the Bulldogs held the Lancers to 10 shots overall, with only four of those opportunities going on goal.
Jennings combined for eight saves on 23 shots while posting one shutout in two matches for Upstate. In all, he allowed only one goal in 180 minutes and capped off the week with a strong .889 save percentage. Leading 1-0 early in Tuesday’s match, the freshman denied a South Carolina penalty kick that would have evened the match at 1-all prior to halftime. It was one of his four saves on the evening that ultimately helped preserve his clean sheet. Jennings then faced 11 shots at Winthrop on Saturday night, where he added another four saves to help the Spartans earn a point in a 1-1 draw.
Also nominated for Offensive Player of the Week: Jaylen Orr (Gardner-Webb), Damorny Hutchinson (Presbyterian), Stewart Patnaud (UNC Asheville) and Ricardo Ferreira (Winthrop).
Also nominated for Defensive Player of the Week: Reudd Manin (Presbyterian), Cooper Jennings (USC Upstate) and Jack Kilstrom (Winthrop).
Also nominated for Freshman of the Week: Dario Stadler (USC Upstate) and Jack Kilstrom (Winthrop).