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UNLV'S MUSOVSKI, UVU'S RUBIO NAMED PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
UNLV's Danny Musovski and Utah Valley's Elliott Rubio have been named Western Athletic Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, for Aug. 22 - Aug. 29.
Musovski, a junior from Henderson, Nev. (Liberty HS), factored in every goal of the weekend for UNLV. Scored the Rebels' first goal to tie the game on Friday at Old Dominion and put UNLV up on Sunday at VCU before assisting in the game-winning goal. He is the early leader in both points (5) and shots (14).
Rubio, a sophomore from Highland Park, Ill. (Highland Park HS), made five saves to help lead UVU to the season-opening win over Washington. The transfer from perennial power Akron made five saves in a 2-1 win, with the lone goal allowed coming on a penalty kick.
Other offensive nominees: CSU Bakersfield's Julian Zamora scored twice in the ‘Runners 3-1 win over Sacramento State on Friday … Grand Canyon's Damian German scored the first goal in the new GCU Stadium to help lead the Lopes to a 4-2 win over Central Florida … San José State's Jonathan Colunga scored a goal and assisted on another in Sunday's 3-2 win over Pacific … UT Rio Grande Valley's Angel Lopez scored his first career goal to lead the Vaqueros to a 1-0 win over Georgia Southern on Sunday … Utah Valley's Paul Hoffmeister earned his first career brace, scoring both of the Wolverines' goals in a 2-1 win over Washington.
Other defensive nominees: Grand Canyon's Khadim Seye scored twice and was part of a defense that held UCF to just eight shots in a 4-2 Lopes win … San José State's Nedin Tucakovic earned the clean sheet on Friday at UC Davis and stopped a penalty kick on Sunday against Pacific … UT Rio Grande Valley's Esa Aalto made six saves in his Vaquero debut to collect a shutout win over Georgia Southern.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
Just one weekend into the 2016 season, Seattle U is the early leader in shots (28) while Grand Canyon is tied with CSU Bakersfield for the lead in points (10) and the Lopes are alone at the top in goals (4). CSUB is also the leader in assists (4) while UT Rio Grande Valley holds the lead in saves (10).
Individually, UNLV's Danny Musovski holds the early lead in shots (14) and points (5) and is one of four players with two goals, joinging GCU's Khadim Seye, UVU's Paul Hoffmeister and CSUB's Julian Zamora on that list. CSUB's Hugo Vinales has two assists to lead the WAC while UTRGV's Esa Aalto has the early lead in both GAA (0.00) and save percentage (1.000) after shutting out Georgia Southern. UNLV's Nathan Bohm, SJSU's Nedin Tucakovic and SU's RJ Noll all have nine saves early in the year for the league lead.
RAINED OUT
After playing 45 minutes, the season opener between Central Arkansas and UMKC was officially cancelled with UCA leading 1-0 after a storm went through Kansas City on Friday night, causing flash floods throughout the city. The ‘Roos will now officially open the season on Wednesday at Tulsa.
NATIONALLY RANKED
Headed into the second week of play, Utah Valley joined Seattle U in the NSCAA Top 25. SU dropped two spots to 16th while UVU jumped to 18th after receiving votes in the preseason poll. Seattle U is also reanked 7th in the Top Drawer Soccer Top 25 and 12th in the College Soccer News Top 30. Utah Valley is ranked 16th in the TDS Top 25 and 21st in the CSN Top 30.
BEST IN THE WEST
As was the case in 2015, the WAC dominated the first NSCAA West Regional poll. Utah Valley was the second ranked team behind University of Denver. Seattle U was third, followed by UNLV at sixth, Grand Canyon at eighth and San José State at 10th.
THE HOFF
After scoring twice in a home win over Washington, Utah Valley's Paul Hoffmeister was named to the College Soccer News Team of the Week. He was also listed among those considered for the Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week.
BJORNETHUN, OLSEN HIGHLIGHT PRESEASON ALL-WAC SQUAD
Seattle U defender Kyle Bjornethun and forward David Olsen were selected as WAC Preseason Defensive and Offensive Player of the Year respectively in a vote of the league's 11 head coaches, who could not vote for their own team or players. Redhawks midfielder Sergio Rivas joining his teammates on team. Utah Valley had three players as Skyler Milne, Paul Hoffmeister and Alex Neff all picked up preseason honors. UNLV and San José State each had two players with the Rebels represented by Danny Musovski and Richard Garness and the Spartans represented by Rory Knibbs and Jonathan Colunga. Grand Canyon's Amer Sasivarevic represented the Lopes to round out the 11-player squad.
THREE NAMED TO MAC HERMANN WATCH LIST
Seattle U's Kyle Bjornethun and David Olsen and UNLV's Danny Musovski are among those on the watch list for the 2016 Missouri Athletic Club's (MAC) Hermann Trophy. Olsen was a semiThrough 8/29ist for the 2015 WAC Hermann Trophy, Bjornthun was the 2015 WAC Defensive Player of the Year and Musovski earned 2015 WAC Offensive Player of the Year honors. All three were also named NSCAA All-Americans last season with Olsen earning First Team honors and Bjornethun and Musovski each picking up Second Team honors.
PRESEASON ALL-AMERICANS
After helping the Redhawks bust onto the national scene last season, Seattle U forward David Olsen and defender Kyle Bjornethun were named First Team Preseason All-Americans by CollegeSoccerNews.com. UNLV forward Danny Musovski was also recognized, earning second team honors.
Bjornethun also earned First Team honors from Top Drawer Soccer. Olsen was a Second Team selection in the TDS Preseason Best XI while Musovski and Utah Valley's Alex Neff earned third team honors. Grand Canyon defender Hector Montalvo rounded out the WAC players honored, being named to the Freshman First Team.
PLAYING THE BEST
The WAC has eight non-conference games against participants from the 2015 NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament. Seattle U is playing two postseason participants, traveling to both Akron and Dartmouth. San José State is also taking on two postseason schools on the road, traveling to defending champion Stanford and Santa Clara. UIW will tak on SMU, Air Force meets Cal Poly, UT Rio Grande Valley plays Cal State Fullerton and UMKC heads to Creighton.
COMING TO YOU LIVE
The WAC Digital Network will broadcast 28 regular season games and all five games of the 2016 WAC Men's Soccer Tournament in Orem, Utah.