WSU's Zuniga, UIC's Kaleta Snare Men's Soccer Weekly Honors

INDIANAPOLIS -- Wright State junior midfielder Derek Zuniga (Massillon, Ohio) is the Horizon League Men’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week, while UIC junior defender Zach Kaleta (Barrington, Ill.) has earned Defensive Player of the Week for the week of Sept. 24-30. The awards are the first of each players’ career.

Wright State (3-6-1, 1-0-1 Horizon) went on the road and collected a League victory over Green Bay, 2-1, on Saturday. UIC (4-4-2, 1-0-1 Horizon) took down No. 23 SIU Edwardsville, 1-0, on Wednesday before defeating Valparaiso, 1-0, Saturday night.

Zuniga opened the scoring in the Raiders’ win at Green Bay, taking a pass on the right side of the box and beating the keeper to the lower left with 58 seconds before halftime. In the second half, Zuniga helped seal the result, sending a pass to teammate Brett Elder, who converted WSU’s second goal of the match.

With 10 points on the year, Zuniga sits in a tie for fourth in the Horizon League. His four assists are tied for first in the conference.

Kaleta, the anchor of UIC’s defense, helped the Flames shutout both No. 23 SIUE and Valparaiso. The only returner player on the back line, Kaleta’s leadership was especially significant, with redshirt freshman goalkeeper Goran Ikick making his first two career starts. The Flames shutout both opponents, accomplishing that feat for the first time since October 2010.

Wright State will be off until Tuesday, Oct. 9, when they travel to Cleveland State for a Horizon League match. UIC will cross state lines on Saturday, Oct. 6, traveling to Milwaukee. The Flames and Panthers will play at 8 p.m. ET, with the Horizon League Network carrying the match live.

Top Offensive Performers for the Week:
Aaron Adkins, Cleveland State (Sr., F) - Scored the Vikings’ lone goal of the week in a 2-1 loss at Wisconsin.
Kyle Spoo, Loyola (Jr., F) - Tallied the equalizing goal in the 62nd minute, helping Loyola draw with Milwaukee, 1-1.
Isai Lemus, UIC (Sr., M) - Made the first goal of his career a memorable one, notching the game-winner in UIC’s 1-0 victory over Valparaiso.

Top Defensive Performers for the Week:
Brad Stuver, Cleveland State (Sr., GK) - Turned in six saves in a scoreless draw at Cincinnati for his League-leading fourth shutout.

Men’s Soccer Offensive Players of the Week:
Aug. 20:         Ivan Stanisavljevic, UIC
Aug. 27:         Laurie Bell, Milwaukee
Sept. 3:          Adam Bedell, Detroit
Sept. 10:        Adam Bedell, Detroit
Sept. 17:        Adam Bedell, Detroit
Sept. 24:        Derek Zuniga, Wright State

Men’s Soccer Defensive Players of the Week:
Aug. 20:         Ryan Wehking, Green Bay
Aug. 27:         Jacob Bye, Wright State
Sept. 3:          Max Nimmo, Green Bay
Sept. 10:        John Shakon, Milwaukee
Sept. 17:        Nathan Steinwascher, Detroit
Sept. 24:        Zach Kaleta, UIC