Men’s Soccer Again Sweeps Player of the Week Honors
NEW ORLEANS – For the second straight week the South Carolina men’s soccer team has swept the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week honors it was announced Tuesday (Sept. 16). Ethan Ballek was named to the Offensive Player of the Week while William Nilsson was named the Defensive Player of the Week.
It’s the first time in program history the Gamecocks have swept Player of the Week honors in consecutive weeks. It’s the first Player of the Week honor for both Ballek and Nilsson. The duo helped Carolina to a 2-0 record on the week, picking up a 5-1 win over Winthrop and 2-1 victory at No. 11 UNCG.
A senior forward, Ballek finished the week with three goals and two assists with multiple points in both games, his second and third of the season. In a win over Winthrop, he tallied two goals and an assist, all in the first half in only 43 minutes played. He scored in the 6th and 44th minutes, and added an assist on Tyler Trimnal’s goal in the 10th minute. Against No. 11 UNCG, Ballek contributed to both goals that came in the second half. He scored his sixth goal of the season in the 63rd minute to tie the match. He had the final assist on the game-winning goal that came in the 84th minute. His 14 points on the season rank sixth in Division I, while his six goals rank ninth and his five assists are 12th.
Nilsson, a senior defender, played all 90 minutes against UNCG and 73 minutes against Winthrop. He helped to keep UNCG without a shot on goal in the second half and only four shots on goal overall, after they entered the match averaging almost eight a game. Their only goal came on a penalty kick. In the win over Winthrop, he led a backline that didn’t allow a shot attempt in the first half and only one shot on goal for the match. The lone goal came after Nilsson had been subbed off with 15 minutes to go in the match.
The Gamecocks host North Florida tonight at 6 p.m.
For the latest on men’s soccer, visit GamecocksOnline.com or follow the team’s social media accounts on Twitter @GamecockMSoccer, Facebook /GamecockMSoccer, and Instagram @GamecockMSoccer.
