GLIAC -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced its weekly awards following the third week of the 2019 men's soccer season. Northern Michigan junior midfielder Luca Lippert earned GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week accolades, while Davenport junior midfielder Daire O'Riordan claimed GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Luca Lippert - Northern Michigan
In Friday's match with Purdue University Northwest in the GLIAC season-opener, Lippert became the first player in program history to score three goals in a match. Lippert got the Northern Michigan University Men's Soccer team on the board quickly, scoring his first goal just 4:04 into the match. He then added a second goal in the 68th minute to tie the score at 2-2 which sent the game into extra time. In overtime, Lippert notched the hat trick with 3:10 left in the first overtime to give NMU their first-ever overtime victory. On Sunday, Lippert followed his success by recording an assist on the team's first goal against Upper Iowa University. The Wildcats finished the weekend at 2-0, defeating PNW 3-2 in overtime and Upper Iowa 2-0. The squad improved to 3-3 on the season and start GLIAC action 2-0.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Daire O'Riordan - Davenport
O'Riordan helped lead the Panthers to a pair of shutout wins at Saginaw Valley State and Northwood to begin GLIAC play with a 2-0 record. He was a key component in controlling the tempo and playing a great defensive midfield game. He led the team with five total shots and had two shots on goal at Northwood on Sunday.
HONORABLE MENTION
OFFENSE: Jack Doyle (NU), Justin Barragan (PNW), Miguel Flores (DU), Connor Rutz (SV), Kieran Paterson (AU), Burim Huseini (UWP)
DEFENSE: Corbin Cecchini (NU), Wladimir Babaew (SV)
