SPARTANBURG, S.C. – UNC Greensboro forward Steven Hernandez and Furman keeper Ivan Horvat have been named Southern Conference men’s soccer offensive and defensive players of the week for matches held from September 16-22.
Hernandez (Winston-Salem, NC / Glenn HS) earned his second weekly award of the season, powering the No. 19 Spartans to a 3-1 win over future SoCon foe Liberty Friday evening on the road. His goal off an assist from Sami Lachekar in the 14th minute put the Spartans up 1-0, and his score from the top of the box in the 71st minute capped a strong second half for the Spartans and accounted for the final margin of victory. Hernandez now has four goals on just six shots (five shots on goal) this season, leading the SoCon in shooting accuracy among players with at least three shots on goal (83.3%).
Horvat (Bratislava, Slovakia / Darlington School) captured his third SoCon weekly honor of the season – and second in a row – with 179 strong minutes between the posts for the No. 10 Paladins. After allowing a goal on a free kick from the top of the box late in the first half of a 1-0 loss to College of Charleston, Horvat rebounded by turning away six shots in a 1-0 win over Charlotte on Monday night. Horvat’s only goals allowed in his last four outings have come via penalty kick and free kick. Horvat (4-1-2) paces the SoCon in save percentage (86.2%), goals against average (0.60), and shutouts (2). He has played significant minutes in two other shutout wins for the Paladins.
UNC Greensboro (5-1-1) is ranked No. 19 in the College Soccer News Top 25 and hosts Davidson in its lone match of the week on Tuesday at 7:00 pm. The Spartans open SoCon play on October 4 at ETSU.
Furman (5-1-3) is ranked No. 10 in the Top Drawer Soccer Men’s Top 25 poll this week but will not play again until hosting USC Upstate on September 30. The Paladins open SoCon play on October 4 at Mercer.
Also nominated for Offensive Player of the Week: Trip Campbell (Furman), Samuel Byron (Wofford).
Also nominated for Defensive Player of the Week: Sami Lachekar (UNCG), Henry Hampshaw (Mercer).
2025 SoCon Men’s Soccer Offensive Players of the Week
Aug. 26 - Enzo Dovlo, Jr., F, UNC Greensboro (Paris, France)
Sep. 2 - Landon Hill, Jr., MF, Furman (Lewis Center, OH)
Sep. 9 - Steven Hernandez, R-Jr., F, UNC Greensboro (Winston-Salem, NC)
Sep. 16 - Caleb Johnson, Jr., F, Furman (Atlanta, GA)
Sep. 23 – Steven Hernandez, R-Jr., F, UNC Greensboro (Winston-Salem, NC)
2025 SoCon Men’s Soccer Defensive Players of the Week
Aug. 26 - Ivan Horvat, R-Fr., GK, Furman (Bratislava, Croatia)
Sep. 2 - Sami Lachekar, Sr., D, UNC Greensboro (Metz, France)
Sep. 9 - Henry Hampshaw, So., GK, Mercer (Holmfirth, England)
Sep. 16 - Ivan Horvat, R-Fr., GK, Furman (Bratislava, Croatia)
Sep. 23 - Ivan Horvat, R-Fr., GK, Furman (Bratislava, Croatia)