Men’s Team of the Week: Nov. 20-26

by TopDrawerSoccer

November 28, 2017

Only eight teams are left in the NCAA men’s Division I tournament, with all the top performers from third round action popping up into the penultimate Team of the Week.

One ensured his team stayed alive, as Fordham goalkeeper Rashid Nuhu’s penalty kick heroics led the Atlantic 10 side to the quarterfinals. Nuhu made a couple of spots in the shootout to secure progress for Fordham.

Player of the Week: Rashid Nuhu, Fordham

Below is a rundown of some of the other top performers from last week.

Team of the Week (November 20-26)

GK Rashid Nuhu, Fordham – The Rams goalkeeper stopped a decisive spot kick from Carter Manley in the fifth round that kept Fordham alive after a 2-2 draw. He then stopped another PK to secure an 8-7 win in the shootout.

D Tanner Beason, Stanford – Beason played the full 90 in the Cardinal’s 2-0 victory over Coastal Carolina, converting the winning goal from the penalty spot early in the second half.

D Jimmy Fiscus, Michigan State – The senior defender was not to be denied, scoring the winning goal as Michigan State came from behind to defeat Western Michigan in a wild Saturday third round match.

M Brandon Servania, Wake Forest – Tied 0-0 at the half, Servania cracked things open for the Demon Deacons, lacing home the winning goal from the top of the box. It capped a strong shift from the midfielder that’s been sensational as a freshman.

M Tate Schmitt, Louisville – Another game, another winner for Schmitt, who scored the final goal in the second-round win over San Francisco. This time, Schmitt’s 35th minute strike stood up as the Cardinals held on for a 2-0 win against Colgate at home.

M Jack Skahan, North Carolina – In UNC’s 2-0 win over SMU, Skahan accounted for the game winner, starting his eighth straight start for the Tar Heels. The scoring touch is an added bonus to the solid, all-around midfield performer.

M Francesco Moore, Indiana – It was another efficient win for the Hoosiers, who held off New Hampshire by a 2-1 score. Moore’s conversion from the penalty spot provided the winning margin in the second half.

M Bart Dziedzic, Fordham – The midfielder scored the tying goal to keep Fordham alive, and also assisted on his side’s opening strike.

F Sam Gainford, Akron – After conceding two goals for the first time in 2017, Gainford ensured that it wouldn’t be a problem for the Zips, finding the back of the net twice in 90 minutes that sent the game into overtime.

F Chris Mueller, Wisconsin – While Wisconsin’s upset bid came up just short against Akron, Mueller did everything he could to keep the Badgers in the game. He setup both goals in the 3-2 loss, and hit the crossbar on a second half free kick that would’ve put Wisconsin up late in the second half.

F Stuart Holthusen, Akron – The Kiwi’s torrid stretch of the season continued against Wisconsin, as he scored the game-winning goal in overtime to defeat the Badgers. Holthusen has scored 10 of his 12 goals in the last seven games, as the Zips have won 13 games in a row.

Honorable Mention: M Cameron Lindley (North Carolina), D Tim Kubel (Louisville), M Giuseppe Barone (Michigan State), M Ema Twumasi (Wake Forest), M/F Bryce Marion (Stanford)