ORU's Birk, UMKC's Sarabia and IUPUI's Keever Collect Weekly Honors
ELMHURST, Ill. - Oral Roberts' Aaron Birk and UMKC's David Sarabia were named Summit League Offensive Players of the Week and IUPUI's Tyler Keever earned Defensive Player of the Week for their performances Sept. 19-25.
OFFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Aaron Birk, Oral Roberts
Jr., MF
Edmond, Okla.
Birk collected his first award after accounting for each of Oral Roberts' goals in a 2-1 Summit League-opening victory at Oakland. After lifting ORU to a 1-0 lead with his goal, Birk assisted on the game-winner to give the Golden Eagles a win over the league's preseason co-favorite.
David Sarabia, UMKC
Jr., F
Miami, Fla.
Sarabia accounted for both UMKC goals, including scoring the game-winner, in a 2-1 victory over Oregon State. After assisting on the Kangaroos' first goal of the match, Sarabia netted the game-winner to lift UMKC to its first-ever victory over a Pac-12 opponent. Sarabia has two game-winning goals this season and now ranks 11th on UMKC's career goals list.
Also nominated: Will Butler, Eastern Illinois; Jake Przybycien, Oakland; Nathan Bruinsma, Western Illinois.
Previous 2011 recipients: Aug. 29 - Max Touloute, IPFW; Sept. 5 - Perez Agaba, IUPUI; Sept. 12 - Max Touloute, IPFW; Sept. 19 - Jeff Cheslik, Oakland.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Tyler Keever, IUPUI
Sr., GK
Indianapolis, Ind. (Cathedral)
Keever earned his fifth career award and first of the season after blanking Eastern Illinois in The Summit League opener. In a double-overtime scoreless tie against the Panthers, Keever made six saves to preserve the point. Earlier in the week, Keever yielded one goal against Xavier, a 1-0 loss. He has allowed just two goals over his last 290 minutes in net.
Also nominated: Evan Turner, Eastern Illinois; Kevin Corby, UMKC; Scott Messer, Oakland; Nick Petolick, Oral Roberts; Andy Ryan, Western Illinois.
Previous 2011 recipients: Aug. 29 - Ryan Bristol, IPFW; Sept. 5 - Andy Ryan, Western Illinois; Sept. 12 - Brandon Cloutier, IPFW; Sept. 26 - Konner McNamara, Oakland/Andy Ryan, Western Illinois.
-SUMMIT-
