IRVING, Texas – Kentucky’s
JJ Williams was voted Conference USA Men’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week after tallying four points and securing an important conference win for the Wildcats. Charlotte’s
Elliot Panicco was tabbed Co-Defensive Player of the Week after posting two shutouts this week. Old Dominion’s
Ryan McLaughlin was named Co-Defensive Player of the Week after anchoring a defense that held one of the conference’s top teams scoreless. All C-USA weekly awards are presented by Top of the World Headwear.
Complete Release (PDF)
C-USA Offensive Player of the Week – JJ Williams, Kentucky, Jr., Montgomery, Alabama
Williams earned his third weekly award this season after tallying four points this week in Kentucky’s two wins. The junior scored once in the Wildcats’ 4-0 win over Evansville. At Florida Atlantic, Williams scored the game-winner with two minutes remaining in regulation. The crucial conference win propelled Kentucky to the top of the men’s soccer table with 18 points, tied with Old Dominion who they play in their final regular-season match to determine the conference regular-season champion.
C-USA Co-Defensive Player of the Week – Elliot Panicco, Charlotte, R-Jr., Huntersville, North Carolina
Panicco earned his second weekly award after anchoring a 49ers defense that recorded two home shutouts this week against USC Upstate and UIC. The redshirt junior recorded four stops in each game, totaling eight saves on the week. Panicco spearheaded a defensive effort that shutout UIC, who entered the game ranked 17
th in the nation in scoring offense and was 35
th in the NCAA RPI rankings.
C-USA Co-Defensive Player of the Week – Ryan McLaughlin, Old Dominion, Sr., Ireland
McLaughlin notched his second weekly award after leading a Monarchs’ defense that held FIU to just eight shots and did not allow a goal. The senior held FIU’s Santiago Patino, who is second in the conference in goals (12), to zero shots on the night. McLaughlin helped the Monarchs’ claim a 3-0 victory and their fifth shutout of the season. Old Dominion now heads into their final game of league play, the game that will determine the regular-season champion, tied for the lead with Kentucky with 18 points.
2018 C-USA Offensive Players of the Week
8/27 – Matt Puig, New Mexico
9/3 – JJ Williams, Kentucky
9/10 – JJ Williams, Kentucky
9/17 – Joris Ahlinvi, FIU
Max Wilschrey, Old Dominion
9/24 – Philip Makinde, UAB
Andrew Booth, FIU
10/1 – Kalil ElMedkhar, Kentucky
10/8 – Max Wilschrey, Old Dominion
10/15 – Adam Brooker, UAB
10/22 – Kalil ElMedkhar, Kentucky
10/29 – JJ Williams, Kentucky
2018 C-USA Defensive Players of the Week
8/27 – Callum Montgomery, Charlotte
9/3 – Aimé Mabika, Kentucky
9/10 – Ryan McLaughlin, Old Dominion
9/17 – Callum Montgomery, Charlotte
9/24 – Aimé Mabika, Kentucky
10/1 – Elliot Panicco, Charlotte
10/8 – Daniel Gagliardi, FIU
10/15 – Paulo Pita, Marshall
10/22 – Mertcan Akar, Old Dominion
10/29 – Elliot Panicco, Charlotte
Ryan McLaughlin, Old Dominion