GLIAC -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced its weekly awards following Week 4 of the 2024 men's soccer season. St. Cloud State swept the awards, with senior midfielder Philip Caputo receiving GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week honors while senior defender Noah Eklund earning GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week accolades.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Philip Caputo, St. Cloud State
St. Cloud State senior midfielder Philip Caputo continued his offensive prowess this week by helping the Huskies take down No. 21 Wisconsin-Parkside 4-3 on Friday and RV Purdue Northwest 2-0 on Sunday. Caputo provided another historic evening for St. Cloud State on Friday as he recorded his second hat trick of the year along with an assist for seven points on the night, which was the second most in a single game in program history. After Parkside tied the game in the 83rd minute, Caputo worked his magic as he dribbled deep into the box where he then knocked in the game-winning goal in the 84th minute. Against the Pride on Sunday, Caputo recorded two shots on goal which was a team high. For the week, the senior led the conference in points with seven, goals with three, tied for first in shots with nine, and tied for third in assists with one while recording six shots on goal. This is the second Player of the Week honor for Caputo this year.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Noah Eklund, St. Cloud State
St. Cloud State senior defender Noah Eklund was an integral part of the Huskies defense in their undefeated week. Following the goal by Caputo in the 84th minute against Wisconsin-Parkside, Eklund helped prohibit the Rangers from attempting a shot in the final six minutes of action as they defeated Wisconsin-Parkside 4-3. In Sunday’s game against Purdue Northwest, Eklund and the Huskies shutout the Pride in their 2-0 victory. The senior defender helped contain the Pride to only 13 shots in the game with only three coming on goal. Eklund was a major factor in stalling the Purdue Northwest offense as they spent a mere 6% of the game-time in their attacking offensive box. Eklund also recorded an assist in the win against the Pride.
HONORABLE MENTION
Offense: Mario Bolado (Parkside), Tommaso Lami (Northern Michigan), Jonny Monney (Saginaw Valley State)
Defense: Alberto Herranz (Saginaw Valley State), Daniyal Rana (Parkside), Alessandro Scialanga (Northern Michigan)
