DENVER — Air Force’s Blake Elder and UNLV’s Kyle Mellies have been named the Western Athletic Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week for October 21-27.
Elder, a freshman defender from Fort Worth, Texas (USAFA Prep School), scored both goals for Air Force in the Falcons’ pair of 1-1 draws on the road last week. On Friday, he scored his first career goal (unassisted) in the 75th minute to even the game against league-leading Seattle U. Two days later, he scored another unassisted goal with 24 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the match at San Jose State. It was Air Force’s only shot on goal in the game. For the week, Elder attempted four shots and is currently tied for second on the team in scoring with six points.
Mellies, a junior defender from Las Vegas, Nev. (Silverado HS), anchored UNLV’s defensive effort in a sweep of Kansas City and Houston Baptist. The Rebels did not allow a goal while Mellies was on the field. UNLV shut out Kansas City, 2-0, and held the ‘Roos to just 13 shots in the game. The Rebels were leading 2-0 against Houston Baptist when Mellies left the game in the first half due to injury. The Huskies had just five shots in the first half of that match. Mellies also added his second goal of the year and first game-winner in the 70th minute against Kansas City.
Other offensive nominees included: freshman midfielder Jonathan Colunga, Bakersfield; sophomore forward Alberto Sanchez, Grand Canyon; senior defender Kyle Herbison, Houston Baptist; senior forward Joaquin Rivas, UNLV; and sophomore forward Hamza Haddadi, Seattle U.
Defensive nominees included: freshman goalkeeper Jake Schenk, Air Force; junior defender Ante Spajic, Grand Canyon; and senior goalkeeper Jake Feener, Seattle U.
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