DENVER – Dixie State's Idris Alabi and California Baptist's Thomas Beecham have been named Western Athletic Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, for February 22 through February 28.
Alabi, a junior midfielder from Vail, Ariz., scored both the Trailblazers goals in a 2-1 win at UIW on Saturday. After taking the lead in the 20th minute, he scored the winning goal in the 64th minute to help Dixie State collect its first Division I win. On the season, his three goals and six points are both leading the WAC.
Beecham, a freshman defender from Newcastle, Australia, anchored the Lancer defense in a pair of matches on the week. On Wednesday, he started at center back in a double-overtime draw against UT Rio Grande Valley, holding the Vaqueros to just four shots on goal. He followed that up with another strong effort on Sunday at Houston Baptist, limiting the Huskies to just three shots on goal and tallying a goal of his own in a 2-1 win.
Other offensive nominees: California Baptist's Leo Mendez scored the late game-winner on Sunday at Houston Baptist … Grand Canyon's Justin Rasmussen scored two of three goals for the GCU in a 3-2 win at San José State … UIW's Wilmar Aguilar scored the Cardinals' only goal in a 2-1 loss to Dixie State … San José State's Nicolas Brenes tallied three points against Grand Canyon, scoring once and assists on another in a 3-2 loss … Seattle U's Habib Barry scored the Redhawks' lone goal in a 1-1 draw against UNLV on Saturday … Utah Valley's Jojea Kwizera assisted on UVU's first goal of the season and then tallied a score of his own later on in a 3-1 win at Air Force.
Other defensive nominees: Dixie State's Jakob Moore made a pair of saves and earned the win in Saturday's 2-1 win at Incarnate Word … Grand Canyon's Esai Easley played all 90 minutes in a 3-2 win at San José State, helping hold the Spartans to just five shots … San José State's David Sweeney made seven saves in a 3-2 loss to Grand Canyon … Seattle U's Akili Kasim made eight saves to help secure a point in the Redhawks' 1-1 draw with UNLV … UT Rio Grande Valley's Trevor Schneider made six saves to earn his second shutout of the season in a scoreless draw at California Baptist … Utah Valley's Cameron Weston anchored the Wolverine defense that limited Air Force to just one shot on goal in a 3-1 win.