RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Great American Conference announced the men’s soccer players of the week for the fifth week of the 2024 season. Southern Nazarene’s Unaiz Shajani won Offensive Player of the Week while Rogers State’s Trindon Turner and Declan Viljoen claimed the Defender and Goalkeeper of the Week honors.
#theGAC/MIAA MEN’S SOCCER OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Unaiz Shajani, F, Southern Nazarene, Sr., Nairobii, Kenya
Shajani earned his third-straight Player of the Week nod after he scored four goals across the Crimson Storm’s two victories. He registered his second hat trick of the season in a 3-0 win at Harding. He scored the opening goal and added a second-half assist in a 4-1 win at Ouachita Baptist. His 12 goals rank second in Division II.
#theGAC/MIAA MEN’S SOCCER DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Trindon Turner, D, Rogers State, Sr., Edmond, Oklahoma
Turner anchored the Hillcat defense as part of a 2-0 week on the road with wins against No. 21 Fort Hays State and Newman. He played all 90 minutes in both contests. Against the Tigers, the senior helmed a defense that limited the Tigers to just two shots, one on goal. The Jets mustered seven shots on goal.
#theGAC/MIAA MEN’S SOCCER GOALKEEPER OF THE WEEK – Declan Viljoen, GK, Rogers State, Sr., Auckland, New Zealand
Viljoen led the Hillcats to a 2-0 week on the road with wins against No. 21 Fort Hays State and Newman. On Thursday, Viljoen earned his second shutout of the season in the 1-0 win against the Tigers. Against the Jets on Saturday, the senior made six saves on seven shots on goal faced, allowing one goal.
OTHERS NOMINATED
Louis Bassett, F (Rogers State), Grant Isbell, F (Ouachita Baptist), Alberto Romano, F (Newman)
Keshon Carter, D (Southern Nazarene), Hunter Reck, D (Ouachita Baptist)
A three-person committee selects all GAC Athlete of the Week awards
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