SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Mercer forward Barzee Blama and ETSU defender Chris McKenna have been named the Southern Conference men’s soccer offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively, for all competition   Sept. 12-18. 
 

Blama assisted on the first goal of the game in Mercer’s 4-0 win over Winthrop on Saturday. The Snellville, Georgia, native also scored the third goal of the game in the 24th minute to extend the Bears’ lead over the Eagles. The freshman forward earned an honorable mention on the Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week for his performance. Blama is currently tied for first in the SoCon in goals (4) and points (9). 
 

McKenna helped guide the Bucs to a pair of wins last week, scoring his first goal as a Buccaneer in the 19th minute of ETSU’s 2-0 victory over Radford on Wednesday. The Glasgow, Scotland, native then scored the game-tying goal against Presbyterian from a cross by Tarik Pannholzer, kickstarting the Bucs' 2-1 comeback victory in which he also assisted on the game-winning goal. The graduate transfer became the fourth Buccaneer in the last four seasons to score in consecutive games. 
 

Mercer (4-1-2) travels to Georgia Southern on Tuesday before visiting Utah Valley on Saturday. ETSU (3-3-1) welcomes UNC-Asheville on Tuesday for a 6 p.m. matchup. 
 

Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Fabian Menendez (Wofford), Jake Raine (Furman), Chris McKenna (ETSU) 
 

Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Josh Hosie (Furman), Trevor McMullen (Mercer) 
 

2023 SoCon Men’s Soccer Offensive Players of the Week

Aug. 29 Barzee Blama, Fr., MF, Mercer 

Sept. 5 Nikolai Rojel, So., F, Wofford 

Sept. 12 Dylan Lane, R-Sr., MF, Furman 

Sept. 19 Barzee Blama, Fr., MF, Mercer 
 

2023 SoCon Men’s Soccer Defensive Players of the Week

Aug. 29 Nico Kross, Fr., D, ETSU

Sept. 5 Trevor McMullen, Sr., GK, Mercer 

Sept. 12 Aaron Salinas, Fr., GK, Furman 

Sept. 19 Chris McKenna, Gr., D, ETSU