SIOUX FALLS, S.D. –Southern Indiana defender Sam Benoist and Denver midfielder Ben Smith captured the latest TicketSmarter Summit League Men’s Soccer Peak Performer of the Week awards. A four-week run of first-time honorees continued as Benoist claimed the offensive honor and Smith netted the defensive honor.

Benoist led the Screaming Eagles to the program’s first Division I victory since 1994 by scoring a pair of goals during a 22-second span in the 80^th minute of a 3-2 win over Eastern Illinois. The sophomore’s two goals, which came in just his fifth match of the season, also were on his first two shots of the season as he scored the equalizer at the 79:06 mark and put USI ahead at the 79:28 mark.

It was the first career multi-goal game for the Foristell, Mo., native, who had one goal as a freshman during the 2020 campaign.

Smith has anchored a Denver defense that put together its second consecutive shutout to open Summit League play, holding the league’s highest-scoring offense to just one shot on goal in a 1-0 victory at Omaha.

Smith, who serves as the Pios’ holding midfielder, has logged all 450 minutes during DU’s five clean sheets this season and capped the victory by scoring the game-winning goal in the 68^th minute against the Mavericks.

OFFENSIVE PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Sam Benoist, Southern Indiana
So. | D | Foristell, Mo.

• Scored the game-tying and go-ahead goals in 3-2 victory over Eastern Illinois during 22-second span in the 80^th minute
• The multi-goal game was the first of his career and marked first time scoring since 2020 season
• This is the first career Summit League weekly honor for Benoist

Also nominated: Arne Neufang (Kansas City), Carlos Santamaria (Oral Roberts).

DEFENSIVE PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Ben Smith, Denver
Jr. | MF | Centennial, Colo.

• Helped DU defense limit Omaha to one shot on goal in 1-0 victory over the Mavericks
• Logged all 450 minutes during the Pios’ five shutouts this season, including back-to-back to open league play
• Tallied first goal of the season in 68^th minute to break 0-0 tie vs. Omaha
• This is the first career Summit League weekly accolade for Smith

Also nominated: Cooper Clark (Kansas City); Damian McGregor-Wickham (Southern Indiana).
 
2022 Men’s Soccer Peak Performers of the Week
August 29
O: Ian Smith, Denver
D: Trevor Wright, Denver

September 6
O: Sam Bassett, Denver
D: Nathanael Sallah, Omaha

September 12
O: Mathis Pilon St-Louis, Omaha
D: Meldin Sabotic, Lindenwood

September 19
O: Shane Anderson, Oral Roberts
D: Isaac Nehme, Denver

September 26
O: Oje Ofunrein, Denver
D: Tucker Mann, St. Thomas

October 3
O: Sam Benoist, Southern Indiana
D: Ben Smith, Denver

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