RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. - No. 22 Fort Hays State and (RV) Southern Nazarene each opened the Great American Conference portion of its schedule 2-0. The Tigers delivered a statement shutout victory over No. 12 Rogers State before beating Northeastern State while the Crimson Storm allowed just one total goal to Harding and Ouachita Baptist.
After falling to Fort Hays, Rogers State shutout Newman on the road, 3-0, improving to 5-2-1 while falling to No. 14 in the United Soccer Coaches week four top-25 poll. The Jets, prior to losing to RSU, defeated NSU to act as the fourth GAC team to log a win in conference play.
Newly-ranked No. 14 Fort Hays State will spend its next two games on the road when the Tigers travel to Searcy, Ark. and Arkadelphia to face Harding and Ouachita Baptist, respectively. (RV) Southern Nazarene will travel to Northeastern State Wednesday, Sept. 23 before the Riverhawks host No. 21 Rogers State Saturday, Sept. 26.
GREAT AMERICAN CONFERENCE MEN'S SOCCER PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
OFFENSIVE
Juan Linares | Fort Hays State | MID | So. | Aguadulce, Spain
Fort Hays State sophomore midfielder Juan Linares led No. 22 Fort Hays State to a 2-0 week, including a 2-0 win over No. 12 Rogers State. In both of FHSU's wins, Linares secured the game-winning goal. Linares converted on each of his shot attempts on the week as the sophomore midfielder is second in the league in goals scored (3) despite not being top-10 in either shots or shots on goal.
DEFENSIVE
Tiago Moreira | Southern Nazarene | DEF | Sr. | Famalicão, Portugal
Southern Nazarene senior defender Tiago Moreira played all 180 minutes of Southern Nazarene's two matches this week as the Crimson Storm defeated Harding and Ouachita Baptist, 3-1 and 1-0, respectively. Moreira added his first assist of the season against the Bisons while adding offensive pressure with seven total shot attempts.
GOALKEEPER
Payton Roehrich | Fort Hays State | GK | So. | Chandler, Ariz.
Fort Hays State sophomore goalkeeper Payton Roehrich earned his second GAC Goalkeeper of the Week after shutting out No. 12 Rogers State, 2-0, before allowing just one goal against Northeastern State to help FHSU claim a 2-0 week. Roehrich faced a season-high 14 shots while tallying three saves against the Hillcats. The second-year goalie leads the GAC with an .826 save percentage.
WEEKLY AWARDS
GAC Offensive Player of the Week
Sept. 1 Francisco Degiorgi, Fort Hays State
Sept. 8 Carter Adams, Northeastern State
Sept. 15 Diego Zamora, Southern Nazarene
Sept. 22 Juan Linares, Fort Hays State
GAC Defensive Player of the Week
Sept. 1 Alex Fletcher, Rogers State
Sept. 8 Alex Laing, Rogers State
Sept. 15 Gian Filizzola, Rogers State
Sept. 22 Tiago Moreira, Southern Nazarene
GAC Goalkeeper of the Week
Sept. 1 Tristan Miller, Rogers State
Sept. 8 Payton Roehrich, Fort Hays State
Sept. 15 Landon Summers, Ouachita Baptist
Sept. 22 Payton Roehrich, Fort Hays State (x2)