DENVER - Grand Canyon's Niki Jackson and Utah Valley's Alex Neff have been named Western Athletic Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, for Oct. 26 - Nov. 1.
Jackson, a sophomore forward from Scottsdale, Ariz. (Cactus Shadows HS), posted a pair of two-goal matches to lead the Antelopes to a 1-1 record on the road. He scored both of GCU's goals in Friday's overtime loss at Air Force and then put the Lopes' first two goals into the net in a 3-2 win at Missouri-Kansas City on Sunday. The four goals on the weekend doubled his scoring total on the season as he is second on the team with eight goals.
Neff, a junior defender from South Weber, Utah (Northridge HS), helped the Wolverines clinch a bye in the upcoming conference tournament, helping to hold Incarnate Word to just three shots in a 4-1 win on Thursday. This is Neff's third player of the week honor this season, the most of any player in the WAC.
Other offensive nominees: Air Force's Ben Kern notched three assists on the weekend as the Falcons swept Grand Canyon and UNLV … CSU Bakersfield's Christian Duarte scored a goal in Friday's 4-2 win at Houston Baptist … Houston Baptist's Marcelo Acuna scored both of HBU's goal on Friday against CSU Bakersfield and assisted on the game-tying goal Sunday against San José State … Missouri-Kansas City's Wes White scored a goal to put UMKC ahead 2-1 on Friday against UNLV … Seattle U's David Olsen recorded his first hat trick as a Redhawk in Sunday's 4-2 win over Incarnate Word … UT Rio Grande Valley's Juanito Garcia scored his third goal of the season and his first game-winning goal on Sunday against CSU Bakersfield … Utah Valley's Aaron Meyer set a new school record with three assists in a 4-1 win over Incarnate Word.
Other defensive nominees: CSU Bakersfield's Jamie Carey-Morrell scored his first goal of the year and then led the defense in Friday's win at Houston Baptist … Houston Baptist's Sebastian Henke scored his first goal of the season on Sunday against San José State and anchored the defense to allow his team to earn the overtime win.