SPARTANBURG, S.C. – UNCG midfielder JC Ngando and goalkeeper Niclas Wild have been named the Southern Conference men’s soccer offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively, for all competition Oct. 18-24.
 
Ngando started for UNCG in its lone contest last week as the Spartans defeated Mercer, 1-0, on Saturday, Oct. 22. In the match with the Bears, the junior netted UNCG’s lone goal of the match. The sophomore recorded his goal in the 17th minute when he managed to break through two Mercer defenders and fire a low shot into the back of the net to hand UNCG a 1-0 lead and the eventual shutout victory. The Paris, France, native, who finished with two points on the week, tallied his fourth goal of the season and the ninth goal of his career. Ngando is currently ranked second in the nation in assists per game (0.73) and total assists (11), with his 11 assists marking a season-best for the Spartan.
 
Wild played all 90 minutes inside the net for UNCG's solo match against Mercer last week. The junior faced 12 shots and recorded seven saves to help the Spartans earn the win. The shutout, Wild's fifth of the season and 18th in his career, moved him into third in school history in that category. The Berlin, Germany, native is currently tied for 28th in the nation in goalkeeper minutes (1260:00), tied for 19th in goals against average (0.714) and tied for 30th in shutouts (5).
 
Last week, the Spartans received a No. 17 ranking in the United Soccer Coaches National Poll and a No. 4 ranking in the South Region Poll. The Spartans also earned a No. 15 ranking in the third RPI report of the 2022-23 campaign released on Monday, Oct. 24, and are currently ranked No. 13 in the College Soccer News Poll and No. 12 by Top Drawer Soccer.
 
UNCG (10-1-4, 3-0-1 SoCon) concludes the regular season on Saturday, Oct. 29, as the Spartans travel to Spartanburg, South Carolina, for a conference match against Wofford (5-7-2, 2-1-1) at 7 p.m. ET.
 
Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Tarik Pannholzer (ETSU) and Nikolai Rojel (Wofford).
 
Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Yves Tcheuyap (ETSU) and Cameron Victor (Wofford).
 
2022 SoCon Men’s Soccer Offensive Players of the Week
Aug. 30       Kieran Richards, Sr., F, ETSU
Sept. 6       Steven Hernandez, Fr., F, UNCG
Sept. 13      Marco Afonso, Gr., F, UNCG
Sept. 20      JC Ngando, So., MF, UNCG
Sept. 27      Alfredo-Diaz Santillan, Sr., MF, Furman
Oct. 4         Ismail El Harchi, Gr., F, UNCG
Oct. 11       Ismail El Harchi, Gr., F, UNCG
Oct. 18       Thaddeus Dennis, Jr., MF, Wofford
Oct. 25       JC Ngando, So., MF, UNCG
 
 
2022 SoCon Men’s Soccer Defensive Players of the Week
Aug. 30       Cole Hunter, R-Sr., GK, ETSU
Sept. 6        Trevor McMullen, Jr., GK, Mercer
Sept. 13      Ben Roberts, Sr., GK, Furman
Sept. 20      Niclas Wild, Jr., GK, UNCG
Sept. 27      Sekou Agard, So., D, Mercer
Oct. 4          Brant Zulauf, R-Jr., GK, Mercer
Oct. 11        Ben Roberts, Sr., GK, Furman
Oct. 18        Ethan Conley, Sr., D, UNCG
Oct. 25        Niclas Wild, Jr., GK, UNCG