NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The Atlantic 10 Conference tabbed Davidson junior Vincent Bennage as the league’s Men’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week while La Salle sophomore Filip Sabatti secured Defensive Player accolades. Additionally, George Washington freshman Ben Hissrich picked up his first Rookie of the Week honors. The awards were announced Tuesday following the conclusion of the second week of contests played Aug. 28 – Sept. 3.
Bennage, a native of Kenosha, Wis., scored a pair of goals on three total shots in two games this past week, helping lift the Wildcats to a victory over Presbyterian before earning a draw at Virginia Tech. In Thursday's matchup against the Blue Hose, the junior forward knocked in the insurance goal of a 2-0 shutout before striking home the initial go-ahead score of a 1-1 conclusion versus the Hokies.
Sabatti, a European import out of Pula, Croatia, composed back-to-back shutout performances in net for the Explorers, swiping 13 saves as La Salle posted victories over Army and Manhattan. Against defending the Patriot League champion Black Knights on Monday, the sophomore goalkeeper totaled six stops in a 1-0 win before following up with a seven-save outing in a 2-0 victory against the Jaspers. Notably, Sabatti and the Explorers played a man down for 57 minutes of the latter contest, keeping Manhattan on the board regardless.
Hailing from Fort Collins, Colo., Hissrich logged two goals over the course of a pair of matchups this past week, initially assisting the Revolutionaries record a draw against Manhattan, 2-2, before knocking off Iona in dramatic fashion. The freshman managed his first score on Monday, helping ensure a tie with the Jaspers, before lacing in the game-winning strike during the 79th minute of a 1-0 victory over the Gaels.
PREVIOUS MEN'S SOCCER WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS
DATE |
OFFENSIVE |
DEFENSIVE |
ROOKIE |
Aug. 28 |
Ask Ekeland, DUQ |
Jules Dechert, SBU |
Nikos Clarke-Tosczak, URI |
Sept. 5 |
Vincent Bennage, DAV |
Filip Sabatti, LAS |
Ben Hissrich, GW |