SPARTANBURG, S.C. – UNCG forward Marco Afonso and Furman goalkeeper Ben Roberts have been named the Southern Conference men’s soccer offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively, for all competition Sept. 6-12.
 
Afonso led the Spartans with two goals and one assist in UNCG’s two games on the week, a 5-1 win against High Point on Sept. 6 and in a 2-2 tie against VCU four days later. In the win over the Panthers, Afonso assisted on the first goal of the contest before netting a goal of his own in the 73rd minute off a pass from Colton Sessoms, extending the Spartans' lead to 4-1. Against the Rams, Afonso put UNCG ahead in the 11th minute, heading a ball back in the net to give the Spartans the 1-0 advantage after securing the rebound of Marc Basile's blocked shot. The graduate from Johannesburg, South Africa, scored his 10th and 11th career goals this week, while his one assist marked his 16th career helper. Afonso is tied with Steven Hernandez for most goals on the team, with three, while his three assists are second on the squad. 
 
UNCG's 4-0-1 record is the best start in program history since 2004, when the Spartans also went 4-0-1 to begin the season and finished 19-3-1 overall. Last week, the Spartans received a No. 19 ranking in the United Soccer Coaches National Poll and a No. 5 ranking in the United Soccer Coaches South Region. The Spartans are also ranked No. 16 in the College Soccer News Poll and No. 15 by Top Drawer Soccer.
 
Roberts played 90 minutes inside the net for Furman’s only match of the week, against North Greenville on Sept. 6. He registered three saves and recorded four stops on 11 shots to post his second shutout of the season in the 1-0 home win over the Crusaders. The Houston, Texas, native is now 3-0-1 on the season and sports a 0.50 GAA through four matches.
 
UNCG (4-0-1) travels to Southern Methodist on Tuesday, Sept. 13, before returning home to Greensboro, North Carolina, on Sept. 17, for a nonconference match against Winthrop. Furman (3-0-1) welcomes Elon to Greenville, South Carolina, on Tuesday, Sept. 13, before hosting UNC Asheville on Saturday, Sept. 17.
 
Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Jake Raine (Furman).
 
Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Marco Milanese (UNCG).
 
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
 
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