Men's Team of the Week: December 5

by TopDrawerSoccer

December 5, 2023

Daniel Russo was a star as Notre Dame defeated Indiana, first with a pinpoint free-kick to open the scoring, then 102 minutes of hard work, concluded with the game-winning penalty kick. Through this tournament run, the Senior from New Jersey has proven to be a player the Irish can rely on in the clutch.

Player of the Week: Daniel Russo, Notre Dame

Team of the Week: November 27-December 3

GK Jackson Lee, West Virginia – Not enough that he made a round-high five saves against Loyola Marymount, Lee also pitched in an assist on a brilliant long ball as the Mountaineers won 3-1.

D Gael Gibert, Clemson – The French defender opened the scoring with a brilliant header as Clemson took down Stanford 2-0.

D Carlos Hernando, West Virginia – The center-back played the full 90 minutes and led the way in a game where the Mountaineers needed to come back against Loyola Marymount.

D Paddy Burns, Notre Dame – The Notre Dame captain was in good form, playing 110 minutes to help the Irish defeat Indiana in penalty kicks.

M Dante Williams, Oregon State – One-half chance was all Williams needed to send Oregon State past North Carolina.

M Patrick McDonald, Indiana – The Junior midfielder tied the score with a brilliant long-range strike as the Hoosiers would eventually lose to Notre Dame in a penalty shootout.

M Joran Gerbet, Clemson – It was his corner that assisted the opener against Stanford, followed by 90 minutes in a committed performance.

M Steven Anderson, Loyola Marymount – The Lions would go on to lose to West Virginia, but Anderson gave early hope with a 2nd-minute goal.

F Tyler Trimnal, Clemson – Trimnal was at the right place at the right time to give Clemson a two-goal lead versus Stanford.

F Daniel Russo, Notre Dame – A sensational free kick and the game-winning penalty kick was the cherry on the cake of an outstanding performance.

F Yutaro Tsukada, West Virginia – Tsukada was a threat throughout the game for Loyola Marymount before scoring a well-deserved goal in the 67th minute.

Honorable Mention: GK Bryan Dowd (Notre Dame), D Pape Mar Boye (Clemson), D Andrew De Gannes (Oregon State), M Hugo Bacharach (Indiana), M Luke McCormick (West Virginia), M Sergio Ors Navarro (West Virginia)