DENVER – UT Rio Grande Valley's William Akio and Houston Baptist's JP Becerra have been named Western Athletic Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, for March 8  through March 14.

Akio, a senior forward from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, scored a pair of goals in the Vaqueros' 3-1 in over UNLV on Saturday. Four of his five shots were on goal as his seventh-career game-winning goal kept UTRGV undefeated on the season.

Becerra, a sophomore goalkeeper from El Paso, Texas, had nine saves in the Huskies' 1-1 draw against San Jose State. It was a season-high in saves for the keeper who now ranks second in the WAC in saves with 27.

Other offensive nominees: California Baptist's Tete Vacas assisted twice in the Lancers' big 5-0 win against Dixie State … Grand Canyon's Marco Afonso played 64 minutes in the Lopes' 1-0 win over UIW on Saturday … San Jose State's Rudi Castro scored the Spartans' lone goal in a 1-1 draw at Houston Baptist.

Other defensive nominees: California Baptist's Jordan Lane led the Lancer defensive unit in a 5-0 win over Dixie State … Grand Canyon's George Tasouris recorded his second consecutive shutout in a 1-0 win at UIW on Saturday … San Jose State's David Sweeney made a pair of saves in the Spartans' double-overtime draw at Houston Baptist … UT Rio Grande Valley's Trevor Schneider made two saves against UNLV to help UTRGV stay unbeaten on the season.