Big South Announces Men's Soccer Players of the Week - Aug. 26

Big South Announces Men's Soccer Players of the Week - Aug. 26

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (www.BigSouthSports.com) – Gardner-Webb forward Elias Khodri (Lyon, France) has been named the Big South Men’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week, while UNC Asheville goalkeeper Charlie Farrar (Wakefield, United Kingdom) is the Defensive Player of the Week for matches played during the opening week of the 2024 regular season, it was announced today. In addition, High Point forward Frankie DeFrancesco (Wayne, N.J.) has been selected as the Freshman of the Week.
 
Khodri tallied five points on two goals and one assist across Gardner-Webb’s first two matches. He scored GWU’s first regular season goal in the 15th minute Thursday at Houston Christian before assisting on another less than four minutes later. The Runnin’ Bulldogs went on to win, 3-2. On Sunday, Khodri scored again unassisted in the 60th minute to help Gardner-Webb earn a draw on the road at Incarnate Word, 1-1. The first-year Runnin’ Bulldog closed the week with six shots in total, including five on Sunday at UIW. 
 
Farrar made three saves and picked up his first win of the season as UNC Asheville opened its 2024 campaign with a 3-1 home victory over Stetson. The senior made one save in the opening 45 minutes before adding two more in the second half to preserve the Bulldogs’ lead. In total, Farrar faced 10 shots from the Hatters in a full 90 minutes between the pipes and finished the match with a .750 save percentage. 
 
DeFrancesco scored his first goal in the first match of his career Thursday at North Carolina State. With the score tied in the second half, the freshman capitalized on a free kick from teammate Jefferson Amaya in the 55th minute to give High Point a lead over the Wolfpack, 2-1. He tallied two total shots on the evening during his first appearance as a Panther.
 
Also nominated for Offensive Player of the Week: Iragi Kalala (Presbyterian), Michael Wilkerson (UNC Asheville) and Adrian Panaite (USC Upstate).
 
Also nominated for Defensive Player of the Week: Loan Marin (Presbyterian), Cooper Jennings (USC Upstate) and Sam Pidgeon (Winthrop).
 
Also nominated for Freshman of the Week: Jourdan Spence (Presbyterian), Owen Lagerwey (UNC Asheville) and Shayne Abrams (USC Upstate).