Horizon League Men's Soccer Players of the Week (September 25)

INDIANAPOLIS – UIC forward Jesus Perez scored back-to-back goals in the Raiders’ defeat Horizon League opponent Milwaukee and claims the week’s Horizon League Offensive Player of the Week. Cleveland State defender Thomas M’Barek helped the Vikings to a 3-0 shutout win over conference opponent Oakland and has been named this week’s Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK | JESUS PEREZ | UIC | SOPHOMORE | MIDFIELDER | WAUKEGAN, ILL.
Perez scored two goals in a span of just 1:39 in the Flames’ 2-1 win over Milwaukee.  The first came when he beat his defender inside the box and laced a shot from a sharp angle past the keeper to the far post.  Shortly thereafter, Perez found himself open in space just above the 18-yard mark.  He received a pass and cut loose a laser beam that never gave the keeper a chance.  It’s the first multi-goal game of Perez’ career, and it is believed to be the fastest brace in UIC history.

2017 Offensive Players of the Week
August 28 – Spiro Pliakos, Detroit Mercy
September 5 – AJ Paterson, Wright State
September 11 – Audi Jepson, Green Bay
September 18 – Alec Phillippe, Wright State
September 25 – Jesus Perez, UIC 

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK | THOMAS M’BAREK | CLEVELAND STATE | FRESHMAN | DEFENDER | SAINT-AUNES, FRANCE.
M'Barek was one of the key factors that helped Cleveland State post a shutout in its 3-0 win at preseason favorite Oakland. He started in central defense, for the seventh time this season, and helped hold Oakland to only seven shots and just a single shot on goal. He helped hold the hosts to their lowest shot total in their past 14 League matches while five of Oakland's seven shots came in the final 11 minutes of the game once it had fallen behind 3-0. M'Barek, who played all 90 minutes, also notched an assist on the opening goal of the match, his first collegiate point and the first point by a CSU defender this season.

2017 Defensive Players of the Week
August 28 – Freddy Lorenzen, Milwaukee
September 5 – Dan Brown, Belmont
September 11 – Robbie Beckwell, Detroit Mercy
September 18 – Jim Barkei, Northern Kentucky
September 25 – Thomas M’Barek, Cleveland State