SIOUX FALLS, S.D. –With a pair of victories during the opening weekend of the 2022 season, Denver student-athlete swept the opening TicketSmarter Summit League Men’s Soccer Peak Performers of the Week awards. Redshirt freshman Ian Smith claimed the offensive accolade, while sophomore defender Trevor Wright garnered the defensive honor, league officials announced Monday.
Smith was impressive during his collegiate debut, picking up a goal and an assist in each of Denver’s back-to-back victories to open the campaign. In the opener vs. Gonzaga, he assisted on the game-winner and scored the third goal in Denver’s 3-1 victory.
He matched those totals in the Pioneers’ 2-1 victory at (RV) Grand Canyon, assisting on the opening goal in the 24
th minute before scoring the game-winner in the 86
th minute. It was the latest game-winner for a DU team since Kortne Ford’s game-winner in the 89
th minute of the Pios quarterfinal win over Clemson in the 2016 NCAA Tournament.
Smith led all Summit League players with six points during the opening weekend.
Wright played all 180 minutes and helped anchor a DU defense that limited Gonzaga and Grand Canyon to a combined two shots on goal. Wright and company limited the Lopes to just three total shots in the rematch of DU’s first round win over GCU in the 2021 NCAA Tournament.
OFFENSIVE PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Ian Smith, Denver
RFr. | F | Littleton, Colo.
- Tallied a goal and an assist in both of Denver’s victories to open the season
- Assisted on game-winner vs. Gonzaga and scored game-winner vs. Grand Canyon
- Led all Summit League players with six points during opening weekend
- This is the first career Summit League weekly honor for Smith
Also nominated: Kenji Mboma Dem (Omaha), Kazuki Kimara (Kansas City), Nick Faddis (Southern Indiana). .
DEFENSIVE PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Trevor Wright, Denver
S0. | D | Castle Rock, Colo.
- Played all 180 minutes, anchoring a defensive unit that surrendered just two shots on goal in two victories
- Limited Grand Canyon to three total shots in a rematch of Pios’ 2021 NCAA Tournament opening-round win
- This is the first career Summit League weekly accolade for Wright
Also nominated: Alex Flowers (Western Illinois), Dominik Danis (Omaha), Seth Kacich (Kansas City), Ednilson Voiles (Southern Indiana).
2022 Men’s Soccer Peak Performers of the Week
August 29
O: Ian Smith, Denver
D: Trevor Wrigth, Denver
#SummitMSOC
