LAKEPOINT, Ga. – After helping FGCU secure a shutout over conference foe NJIT, scoring in that contest and aiding the Eagles to a draw with rival USF, senior Nicolas Samayoa has been named the ASUN Defensive Player of the Week, league officials announced Monday.

 

These are the final weekly awards handed out by the conference this year, and it marked the last opportunity for Samayoa – the ASUN Preseason Defensive Player of the Year – to garner his first career ASUN Defensive Player of the Week honor.

 

A native of Guatemala City, Guatemala, Samayoa started and played all 110 minutes in FGCU’s 1-1 double-overtime tie against I-75 rival USF on Tuesday, and followed it up by not subbing out at all in the Eagles’ 5-0 clean sheet opposite NJIT on Saturday. In that contest against the Highlanders, Samayoa scored FGCU’s third goal just before halftime to put the game out of reach.

 

Making the performance even more impressive is that Samayoa – who has played and started in all but one game this year – and his fellow backline members shut down the nation’s leading scorer in Mamadou Guirassy, who entered the match with 16 goals – representing 64 percent of NJIT’s total goals on the year (25). Furthermore, Samayoa and the defense limited Guirassy to just two shots, and neither of those was on frame.

 

After scoring three total goals through his first three years in the Green and Blue, Samayoa has now delivered three goals this year alone. He has added an assist on the campaign to register seven points, in addition to playing a role in five FGCU shutouts.

 

Samayoa is the third FGCU player to be named ASUN Defensive Player of the Week this year, joining Preston Kilwien (San Francisco, Calif./College Park HS) (Sept. 25) and Connor Gavigan (Aurora, Colo./Creighton/Grandview HS) (Oct. 9).

 

The win over NJIT – which came in impressive fashion as the Eagles and Highlanders entered the match tied for 2nd in the ASUN – allowed FGCU to clinch the No. 2 seed in the ASUN Tournament with 13 points. That gave the Eagles a bye into the semifinals, which they will host next Sunday, Nov. 5, at 1 p.m.

 

FGCU will also host an opening-round matchup between No. 3 NJIT (8-7-3, 3-2-1 ASUN) and No. 6 Lipscomb (9-7-1, 2-4-0 ASUN) on Friday, Nov. 3, at 5 p.m.. The Green and Blue will play the winner of that contest in the semifinals.

 

Top-seeded Stetson (7-6-2, 4-0-2 ASUN) will host the other semifinal on Nov. 5 as the Hatters will take on the winner of No. 4 North Florida (3-9-2, 2-3-1 ASUN) and No. 5 Jacksonville (4-9-1, 2-3-1 ASUN) which will be contested on Nov. 3.

 

Additional information regarding the ASUN Men’s Soccer Championship can be found by logging on to ASUNSports.org. A complete tournament bracket is attached to this release.

 

Samayoa and the Eagles still have one more regular-season game to play before they get to the ASUN Tournament. FGCU will head across Alligator Alley to face FAU in Boca Raton on Tuesday, Oct. 31, at 7 p.m.

 

IRMA RELIEF DONATIONS

In the wake of Hurricane Irma, many individuals and families throughout Southwest Florida are still in desperate need of assistance. To aid in those relief efforts, FGCU Athletics will be collecting donations at all Eagle home games for the immediate future. Donation items most needed include: non-perishable food, clothing, household items and first-aid supplies. Additionally, those unable to attend upcoming home games can drop off donations in canisters located in the Alico Arena lobby. All donations will be given to those hardest hit in Lee and Collier counties.

 

FOLLOW ALONG

For up-to-the minute information and a behind-the-scenes look at the FGCU men’s soccer program, follow on Twitter @FGCU_MSoccer, Instagram @FGCU_MSoccer, Facebook /FGCUMSoccer and YouTube /FGCUAthletics.

 

HEAD COACH JESSE CORMIER

Jesse Cormier was hired in January 2017 to become just the 2nd head coach in program history. The head coach at Vermont for the previous 13 seasons, Cormier won 14 games with the Catamounts in 2016 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Second Round. During his time with Vermont, Cormier guided the program to the America East Tournament in 12 of 13 seasons, making five title game appearances, winning two tournament crowns, claiming a regular-season championship and advancing to three NCAA tournaments, including a pair of Second Round appearances. Cormier has a 121-94-50 (.551 winning percentage) overall record as a head coach.

 

SUPPORT THE CAUSE

FGCU Athletics sponsors events throughout the year to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics’ charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.