Posted: Sep 16, 2024
CAMERON SMITH OF TRINITY UNIVERSITY, a sophomore defender from Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, has been named the SCAC Men’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week for games played from Monday, September 9th through Sunday, September 15th. SCAC Men's Soccer Release (Week 3)
Smith and the Tiger defense were outstanding last week, posting a pair of shutout wins over Cal Lutheran and Howard Payne at home last Friday and Sunday. Anchored by Smith’s play, Trinity allowed just seven total shots over two fixtures, including just two on target to secure two wins and lift the Tigers to a 4-0-2 record to start the season. In addition to his defensive prowess the limited opponents in the offensive third, Smith also scored the game-winning goal in the win over Cal Lutheran and added an assist in the win over Howard Payne.
Other outstanding performances in the SCAC:
Junior defender Justin Ajdukovich of Austin College was strong all week as the 'Roos went 1-1-1 in three matches, including tallying a goal from his defensive position in the team's shutout victory over Mississippi University for Women. Sophomore defender Hayden McConnell of Centenary led the Gents' stingy back line which recorded a pair of shutouts at home over the weekend - 9-0 over Mississippi University for Women (MUW) on Friday and 3-0 over division II foe Ouachita Baptist University on Sunday. McConnell was a workhouse as he played 75 minutes against the Owls on Friday and all 90 minutes on Sunday as his efforts have lifted the Gents to a 3-1-1 start, outscoring their opponents 17-2 through five fixtures. Sophomore defender Dylan Stapley of Colorado College played all but two minutes last weekend in a pair of games as the Tigers went 1-0-1against top ranked opponents in Ohio Northern and Emory. Stapley and the Tiger defense allowed just two goals and in addition to his defensive work, Stapley added an assist in the 2-1 win over Emory. Sophomore Cooper Pero of Southwestern continued his stellar play along the Pirates backline that limited Cal Lutheran to just seven shots in a 2-1 victory last Sunday. Pero also scored the opening goal for the Pirates in the win. Senior goalkeeper Noel Pena of Texas Lutheran recorded his second shutout of the season, making three saves in the Bulldogs, 1-0, win over Hardin-Simmons on the road last Friday.
| SCAC Men's Soccer Defensive Players-of-the-Week |
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| Week 1 | Brandon Walker, McMurry University |
| Week 2 | Curtis Hale, Colorado College |
| Week 3 | Cameron Smith, Trinity University |
| Week 4 | |
| Week 5 | |
| Week 6 | |
| Week 7 | |
| Week 8 | |
| Week 9 | |
| Week 10 | |
