Date Posted: 8/28/2006

MACON, Ga. – Belmont’s Jay Ayres and Lipscomb’s Ben Page claimed the Atlantic Sun’s first weekly honors for the 2006 men’s soccer campaign. Better late than never was Page’s motto in Lipscomb’s season opening win over Birmingham-Southern. Trailing 2-0, the Bison standout nearly single handedly mounted a huge comeback on his way to being named A-Sun Player of the Week.

Page assisted on Jorge Suarez’s goal in the 85th minute, cutting the BSC lead in half. The Woodstock, Ga., native converted on a penalty kick with just over two minutes left in regulation that knotted the match. Finally, seven minutes into the overtime session, Page beat a group of defenders before unleashing the game-winner from 15 yards out. The junior forward becomes just the second Bison to collect A-Sun Men’s Soccer Player of the Week honors. Page is majoring in History.

Ayres led the team with three points last week, scoring a goal and an assist to add some offense to his defensive prowess. The goal came against Western Kentucky in the season opener, a penalty kick that tied the game in the second half. The Valrico, Fla., native also recorded an assist on the team's lone goal against Memphis on Sunday as his corner kick was headed home to give the Bruins an early lead in the match. Ayres played in all 187 minutes in the two matches this week. The junior dominated challenges throughout the weekend as he attempts to replace 2005 A-Sun Defensive Player of the Year J.P. Rodrigues in the center of the Belmont defense. Ayres is majoring in accounting and earns Defensive Player of the Week honors for the first time.

The Atlantic Sun Conference hands out offensive and defensive Player of the Week awards weekly during the 2006 soccer campaign.

The 12-member league headquartered in Macon, Ga., consists of Belmont, Campbell, ETSU, Gardner-Webb, Jacksonville, Kennesaw State, Lipscomb, Mercer, UNF and Stetson with Florida Gulf Coast and USC Upstate beginning competition in 2007-08.

OTHER TOP PERFORMERS

• Richard Jata, Campbell (So. – MF – Port Richey, Fla. – Mass Communications Major)
Provided all of CU’s offense in a 1:12 span in a 2-1 win over UNC Wilmington

• Tommy Krizanovic Jacksonville (Sr. – F – Jacksonville, Fla. – International Business Major)
Re-affirmed his spot as one of the nation’s most lethal scorers, collecting three goals in two matches

Related Links:
 • A-Sun Men's Soccer