SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – A pair of individual award winners from the 2020 campaign racked up the initial initial Ticket Smarter Summit League Men’s Soccer Player of the Week awards, league officials announced Monday. Reigning Offensive Player of the Year Dante Brigida of Oral Roberts earned the sixth offensive honor of his career, while reigning Goalkeeper of the Year Cooper Clark of Kansas City earned the second defensive honor of his career.
Brigida scored in both of the Golden Eagles’ matches last week as they opened the season with a 1-1 record on their home field. He had the lone tally in a 3-1 loss to No. 17 Loyola Marymount and opened the scoring in an eventual 2-1 victory over UTRGV.
Clark kept Kansas City in both of its opening-week matches against ranked-foe, combining to make 14 saves vs. No. 16 Virginia Tech and No. 21 James Madison. He had eight saves against the Hokies as the Roos earned a 2-2 draw, then added six in a 2-0 setback to the Dukes.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Dante Brigida, Oral Roberts
Gr. | F | Edmond, Okla.
- Converted two of his three shots on goal into tallies during the opening week of the season as ORU got off to a 1-1 start
- Scored lone goal in a 3-1 loss to No. 16 Loyola Marymount and scored the opening goal in a 2-1 victory over UTRGV
- This is the sixth career Summit League weekly honor for Brigida
Also nominated: Lar Shfeo (Kansas City).
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Cooper Clark, Kansas City
Sr. | GK | Norman, Okla.
- Combined for14 saves during a pair of matches against ranked-foes
- Credited with eight saves in a 2-2 draw with No. 15 Virginia Tech and had six in a 2-0 loss to No. 21 James Madison
- This is the second career Summit League weekly accolade for Clark
Also nominated: Miles Motakef (Oral Roberts).
2021 Men’s Soccer Players of the Week
August 30
O: Dante Brigida, Oral Roberts
D: Cooper Clark, Kansas City
#SummitMSOC
