INDIANAPOLIS -- Wright State sophomore forward Eric Lynch (Bellbrook, Ohio) is the Horizon League Men’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week while UIC redshirt junior defender Thomas Villamil (Niles, Ill.) is the Defensive Player of the Week for the week of Sept. 2-7.
The Wright State men’s soccer team (3-0-1) took the pitch at home over the weekend to take on Robert Morris on Friday and IUPUI on Sunday. The Raiders collected two more victories to remain unbeaten, defeating the Colonials in shutout fashion 2-0 and the Jaguars 3-2.
Lynch led Wright State tallying four points over the course of the two matches. The sophomore scored the first and eventual game-winning goal against Robert Morris off of an assist from Wes Cain in the 68th minute. The goal marks Lynch’s first of the season. On Sunday versus IUPUI, Lynch distributed his first two assists on the year, including the game-winner. Early in the second half, he took a corner kick from the right side that found the head of Jake Stovall who knocked it past the Jaguars’ goalkeeper. In the 72:43 mark of the game, the duo connected again for the deciding goal off a free kick from Lynch to defeat IUPUI.
After a postponed match on Friday night, UIC (2-0-1) took on No. 7 Michigan State Saturday afternoon at Flames Field. The game went back-and-forth and finished in a draw between the two squads after two overtimes and 110 minutes of action.
Villamil was a key contributor on defense for the Flames in the shutout tie against the Spartans. Throughout the game, he aided the back line in breaking up Michigan State’s attempts during the run of play and on set pieces. UIC held the Spartans to just nine shots on the day in which only four of those were on goal. Villamil’s stellar performance helped the Flames collect their second shutout on the season.
Tonight, UIC travels to Drake for an 8 p.m. contest at Cownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines, Iowa. The game was originally scheduled for Sunday but was moved after bad weather in the Chicago area Friday night that pushed back the Michigan State matchup. Wright State continues action beginning Friday, September 12 as the team heads out west to face San Diego State and Grand Canyon.
Top Offensive Players of the Week:
Sergio Manesio, Cleveland State (So., D): Scored the Vikings’ lone goal in two games in North Carolina, netting the goal against Wake Forest. Is now tied for the team lead with two goals on the season.
Nick Moon, Milwaukee (Fr., F): Netted his second game-winning goal of the year to defeat Gonzaga 2-1.
Spiro Pliakos, Detroit (Fr., F): Made his first-career start against Northern Kentucky collecting two shots in the first half. He was named to the Flyer Classic All-Tournament Team.
Top Defensive Players of the Week:
Tyler Blackmer, Wright State (So., GK): Had two saves in the shutout victory over Robert Morris and four saves in the win against IUPUI.
Nathan Steinwascher, Detroit (Sr., GK): Allowed just one goal against Northern Kentucky while shutting them out in regulation time. Faced 17 total shots from Dayton to make a season-high seven saves.
Agustin Rey, Milwaukee (Jr., GK): In his Milwaukee debut at goalkeeper, Rey made six saves and collected the win against Gonzaga.
Offensive Players of the Week
Aug. 25: Jesus Torres, UIC
Sept. 2: Eric Lynch, Wright State
Defensive Players of the Week
Aug. 25: Nico Campbell, Valparaiso
Sept. 2: Thomas Villamil, UIC
Tags: Horizon League - Men's Soccer · UIC - Men's Soccer · Wright State - Men's Soccer
