Velazquez-Lopez Named Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week

NEW ORLEANS – South Carolina men’s soccer forward Alejandro Velazquez-Lopez has been named the Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Week it was announced Tuesday (Sept. 1).

Velazquez-Lopez earns his first Player of the Week honor after leading the Gamecocks to a 2-0 week, including a win over #16 Clemson for Carolina’s first win against the Tigers since 2014. He had three goals and an assist to help Carolina to its first 3-0 start since 2014. It’s the first time in his career with back-to-back multi-point games.

The junior notched his first multi-goal game of his career to open the week against USC Upstate, both of which came in the first half. He got the night started with a goal in the 38th minute, which proved to be the game-winner. Velazquez-Lopez extended the lead just before halftime when he converted on a penalty kick with 1:01 left. It marked his first career multi-goal game.

Velazquez-Lopez helped Carolina take a lead at halftime against the Tigers by assisting on Angel Lopez’s goal in the 24th minute. He would score the game-winner in the 49th minute when he converted on a penalty kick just before halftime to give the Gamecocks a 3-1 lead.

For the season, Velazquez-Lopez has three goals and two assists. His eight points rank eighth in the country while he is tied for the lead with two game-winning goals.

The Gamecocks return to action September 3 when they travel to Charlotte for a 7 p.m. match.