SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference named its men’s soccer players of the week Tuesday for games played Oct. 22-28. Furman midfielder Rocky Guerra and ETSU defender Merveil Bilomba were honored as the league’s offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively.
Furman highlighted the week by knocking off league-leader UNC Greensboro 1-0 in a battle of unbeatens on Oct. 22, while ETSU took care of Mercer 2-0 as both the Buccaneers and Paladins posted a 1-1-0 record during the week.
Guerra played a key role in the midfield as the Paladins took down UNCG. The senior from Lawrenceville, Georgia, netted the game-winner in the 86th minute with a right-footed strike from the top of the box. Guerra then opened the scoring on Oct. 26 against Mercer with goals in the 22nd and 37th minutes, putting the Paladins in front 2-0 before the Bears stormed back for the win. His first goal of the night came from a curled free kick and Guerra bagged a brace 15 minutes later thanks to an assist from Arnor Adalsteinsson.
The weekly award is the first of Guerra’s career.
Bilomba, a preseason all-conference selection, played all 180 minutes over the week in the heart of a Buccaneer defense that allowed just one goal in two matches, including a shutout of Mercer on Oct. 22. The Tours, France, native was a vital piece in ETSU’s two matches against Mercer and UNCG as the Bucs surrendered just four shots on goal to each opponent.
The weekly award is the first of Bilomba’s career.
ETSU and Furman will both be back in action on Tuesday, Oct. 29, with the Bucs traveling to face Belmont at 7:30 p.m. and the Paladins visiting Wofford at 7 p.m.
Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Niccolo Dagnoni (Belmont), Hauk Andreas Fossen (ETSU), Dawson Gideon (Mercer), Faisal Almubaslat (UNCG) and Brandon Oddy (Wofford).
Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Brett Royster (Belmont)
2019 SoCon Men’s Soccer Offensive Players of the Week
Sept. 3 Trevor Martineau, So., F, Mercer
Sept. 10 Trevor Martineau, So., F, Mercer
Sept. 17 Emery May, Sr., F, Furman
Sept. 24 Hauk Andreas Fossen, Fr., F, ETSU
Oct. 1 Trevor Martineau, So., F, Mercer
Oct. 8 Trevor Martineau, So., F, Mercer
Oct. 15 Niccolo Dagnoni, So, F, Belmont
Oct. 22 Hauk Andreas Fossen, Fr., F, ETSU
Oct. 29 Rocky Guerra, Sr., MF, Furman
2019 SoCon Men’s Soccer Defensive Players of the Week
Sept. 3 JR DeRose, R-Jr., GK, Mercer
Sept. 10 Cole McLagan, R-Jr., D, Furman
Sept. 17 Jack Shiels, Sr., D, Furman
Sept. 24 Josh Perryman, R-So., GK, ETSU
Oct. 1 Joe Pickering, R-Jr., D, ETSU
Oct. 8 JR DeRose, R-Jr., GK, Mercer
Oct. 15 Cole McLagan, R-Jr., D, Furman
Oct. 22 Brendan Pulley, Fr., GK, UNCG
Oct. 29 Merveil Bilomba, R-Sr., D, ETSU
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