National News

 September 19, 2012

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Logan Vestring (Neosho County CC, Kan.), Tyler Lane (Muskegon CC, Mich.), Michael Raftu (Tompkins Cortland CC, N.Y.), and Brad Bennett (Brookdale CC, N.J.) have been named NJCAA Men’s Soccer Players of the Week for matches Sept. 10-16.

In Division I, Vestring took home Player of the Week and Lane was tabbed Goalie of the Week. Raftu earned Player of the Week and Bennett claimed goalie honors for Division III.
 

DIVISION I PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Logan Vestring – Neosho County Community College, Kan.
Forward – Wichita, Kan. – Wichita Northwest High School

Vestring’s offensive prowess led the Panthers to a 1-0-1 record last week. In a 6-1 win over Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, the freshman tallied his second hat-trick of 2012 with three goals. Vestring added an assists for nine points in the victory and followed up with the Panthers’ lone goal in a 1-1 tie against Allen County CC (Kan.). Among the nation’s leading goal-scorers, Vestring will look to continue his success this week when Neosho County faces Johnson County CC (Kan.) Wednesday and No. 12 Barton CC (Kan.) Saturday.
 

DIVISION I GOALIE OF THE WEEK
Tyler Lane – Muskegon Community College, Mich.
Norton Shores, Mich. – Western Michigan Christian High School

Lane shutdown opposing offenses last week as the Jayhawks cruised to three-consecutive wins. The sophomore turned away 13-of-14 shots at his goal in 238 minutes of goalkeeping, allowing only one goal on the week. Lane will defend his 8-1 record this weekend when No. 17 Muskegon travels to No. 9 Schoolcraft College (Mich.) Saturday and Jackson CC (Mich.) Sunday.
 

DIVISION III PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Michael Raftu – Tompkins Cortland Community College, N.Y.
Forward – Manhattan, N.Y. – Marta Valle High School

The Panthers saw Raftu lead their team to a 2-0 record last week behind nine points. Scoring the lone goal against Hudson Valley CC (N.Y.), Raftu was credited with the game-winner in the 1-0 victory. In an 8-0 blowout of Corning CC (N.Y.), the sophomore compiled three goals and an assist for seven points. Thursday, Raftu and the No. 4 Panthers host Fulton-Montgomery CC (N.Y.) before heading to Jamestown CC (N.Y.) Saturday.
 

DIVISION III GOALIE OF THE WEEK
Brad Bennett – Brookdale Community College, N.J.
Middletown, N.J. – Middletown South High School

Recording shutouts in all three of the Jersey Blues’ wins last week, Bennett improved his record to 7-1 in 2012. The freshman denied all 19 shot attempts at his goal in the week, including a nine-save effort in a 4-0 win over Middlesex CC (N.J.). No. 5 Broodale and Bennett hit the road Saturday to take on Cumberland CC (N.J.).

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Men’s Soccer Players of the Week (Games up to Sept. 2)
DI Player: Lukman Ahmed-Shaibu (MF) – Prairie State College, Ill.
DI Goalie: Guillermo Aguilar – Johnson County CC, Kan.
DIII Player: None
DIII Goalie: None

Men’s Soccer Players of the Week (Games Sept. 3-9)
DI Player: Lukman Ahmed-Shaibu (MF) – Prairie State College, Ill.
DI Goalie: Dallas Hunter – Phoenix College, Ariz.
DIII Player: Travis Eustace (F) – Sussex County CC, N.J.
DIII Goalie: Reynero Pacheco – Prince George’s CC, Md.

Men’s Soccer Players of the Week (Games Sept. 10-16)
DI Player: Logan Vestring (F) – Neosho County CC, Kan.
DI Goalie: Tyler Lane – Muskegon CC, Mich.
DIII Player: Michael Raftu (F) – Tompkins Cortland CC, N.Y.
DIII Goalie: Brad Bennett – Brookdale CC, N.J.