Date Posted: 9/17/2007

MACON, Ga. - Highly touted freshman Josue Soto from Campbell did not take long to ingratiate himself into the Camels' offensive attack. In his first in-season collegiate tournament, he scored a pair of goals, handed out an assist in earned the MVP award at the Richmond/Nike Challenge Cup and now he has added his first Atlantic Sun Player of the Week Award, announced on Monday by the conference office.

Soto, a freshman from Monterrey, Mexico, led Campbell to its first in-season tournament title since 1988. He scored the game-tying goal (his first collegiate strike) in a 2-1 OT victory over Duquesne on Friday. In Saturday's championship, Soto assisted on Richard Jata's game-tying goal then scored the game-winner with 3:20 remaining in regulation of a 2-1 win over host Richmond.

For his efforts, Soto was recognized by College Soccer News. He was named to the National Team of the Week for September 16. It was the second time Soto has received praise from the publication. In the preseason, he was named its 100 Freshmen to Watch list.

Belmont's Jay Ayres also led his squad to a tournament victory this weekend and earned the A-Sun's Defensive Player of the Week Award in the process. The Bruins entered the tournament winless at 0-3 and had been allowing 2.67 goals per game, but in two games, the defense allowed a total of two goals in winning the Fairfield Bowling Green Hilltopper Classic.

In addition to being named to the All-Tournament team, he tallied his first goal of the year in Belmont's 3-2 overtime win against Marshall on Friday. He also helped lead the Bruins to their first shutout of the season with a 2-0 victory over Western Kentucky on Sunday.

The honor was the Valrico, Fla. native's second Defensive Player of the Week award of his career. He earned the previous honor following the first week of play in 2006. He culminated the season by winning the Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the second straight Bruin to win the award (J.P. Rodrigues).

The Atlantic Sun Conference is a 12-member league committed to Building Winners for Life, with a focus on academic and athletic integrity and a balance between the two for the student-athlete, and maintaining a high level of sportsmanship. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun encompasses six of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun consists of some of the most dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, Campbell University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Gardner-Webb University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University.

Other Top Performers

Chris DiNapoli, FGCU (Fr. - D - Palm Harbor, Fla. - Science) -- Scored the game-winning goal in OT to help FGCU defeat Georgia State, 3-2. The goal was Dinapoli's second game-winning goal.

Justin Mooneyhan, BEL (Sr. - MF - Nashville, Tenn. - Entrepreneurship) -- MVP of Fairfield Bowling Green Hilltopper Classic; scored the GW goal in 3-2 win vs Marshall; scored in three straight games.

Stephen Oyuga, CAM (Jr. - D - Nairobi, Kenya - Computer Information Systems) -- Guided defense to two 2-1 wins at Richmond/Nike Challenge Cup; defense has not allowed more than one goal in a game this year.

Eugene Starikov, STET (Fr. - F - Palm Harbor, Fla. - International Business) -- Scored GW goal (first goal of collegiate career)at Central Florida in the team's only game this week.

Related Links:
 • This Week in A-Sun Men's Soccer