SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Belmont’s Liam O’Brien and Wofford’s Joshua Old have been named the Southern Conference men’s soccer offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively, for all competition through Sept. 7-13.
 
Liam O’Brien was an instrumental component to the Bruins’ offense this week, leading the team with two goals in an overtime thriller match against Georgia State to collect Belmont’s third-straight victory and improve to a 3-2 record overall. O’Brien nabbed the first goal for the Bruins in their match against the Panthers after the senior forward found himself in perfect position for a header on the right side of the goal, giving Belmont the early 1-0 advantage. Following his header in the 23^rd minute, O’Brien connected with the back of the net on a full extension diving header in the 105th minute to score the game-winning goal for the Bruins. The golden goal was the second of O’Brien’s career, as the Freehold, New Jersey native notched a brace with the golden goal in the 105^th minute in the Bruins victory over Lipscomb last March.
 
Joshua Old played a major role in Wofford’s pair of shutouts against Gardner-Webb and UNC Asheville last week, tallying five saves and a perfect 1.000 save percentage in 180 minutes of action. In the Terriers’ match at Gardner-Webb on Sept. 7, Old recorded two saves to garner his first clean sheet of the season, including an impressive save on a free-kick shot in the 68^th minute, preserving the 1-0 lead for the Terriers en route to the win. Four days later, the junior goalkeeper helped Wofford’s defense hold UNC Asheville scoreless, grabbing three saves in goal for the Terriers and clinching the 3-0 shutout win over the Bulldogs. The Indian Land, South Carolina, native, who posted back-to-back shutouts for the first time in his career, currently leads the SoCon in goals against average (0.67) and save percentage (.846).
 
Belmont (3-2) and Wofford (2-2) both return to competition tonight, as the Bruins travel to Nashville, Tennessee, for a match against Lipscomb at 8 p.m. and the Terriers travel to Clinton, South Carolina, for a match against Presbyterian at 7 p.m.
 
Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Tarik Pannholzer (ETSU), Dylan Lane (Furman), Dylan Gaither (Mercer), Theo Collomb (UNCG) and Mitchell Myers (Wofford).
 
Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Jack Shaw (Belmont), Ousman Jabang (Mercer) and Joey Skinner (UNCG).
 
2021 SoCon Men’s Soccer Offensive Players of the Week
Aug. 31       Dylan Gaither, Sr., F, Mercer
Sept. 7       Niccolo Dagnoni, Sr., F, Belmont
Sept. 14      Liam O’Brien, Sr., F, Belmont
 
2021 SoCon Men’s Soccer Defensive Players of the Week
Aug. 31       Brant Zulauf, R-So., GK, Mercer
Sept. 7       Drew Romig, Sr., GK, Belmont
Sept. 14      Joshua Old, Jr., GK, Wofford