SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Furman’s Shaun-Chris Joash and Belmont’s Cameron Petty have been named the Southern Conference men’s soccer offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively, for all competition from Feb. 23-March 1.
 
Sophomore forward Joash earned player of the week honors after having a hand in both goals against USC Upstate in a 2-0 win on Wednesday. The sophomore from Hampton Hill, England, scored the Paladins’ first goal in the 41^st minute and assisted on Jake Raine’s goal in the 51^st minute as Furman remained unbeaten on the young season. 
 
Furman (2-0-0) travels to Gardner-Webb on Wednesday for a 6 p.m. kick in Boiling Springs, North Carolina, before conference action begins on March 13 against ETSU. 
 
Belmont goalkeeper Petty logged his fourth shutout of his career with five saves on 17 shots faced in a scoreless draw against Central Arkansas on Thursday. Petty, who has logged clean sheets in four of his last five outings dating back to the 2019 season, is tied for first in the conference with a 0.00 goals against average and 1.000 save percentage.  
 
The Bruins (1-0-1) are set to host Lipscomb at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at E.S Rose Park in Nashville, Tenn. 
 
Other offensive nominees: Fernando Garcia (UNCG).
 
Other defensive nominees: Josh Perryman (ETSU), Ben Hale (Furman), JR DeRose (Mercer) and Matthew Cutler (UNCG). 
 
2021 Southern Conference Men’s Soccer Players of the Week
 
Offense
Feb. 16    Dawson Gideon, Jr., F, Mercer
Feb. 23    AJ Chastonay, Fr., MF, Belmont
March 2   Shaun-Chris Joash, So., F, Furman


Defense
Feb. 16    JR DeRose, R-Sr., GK, Mercer
Feb. 23    Brant Zulauf, R-Fr., GK, Mercer
March 2   Cameron Petty, Jr., GK, Belmont