SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Denver midfielder Sam Bassett and Omaha goalkeeper Nathanael Sallah earned the latest TicketSmarter Summit League Men’s Soccer Peak Performers of the Week awards. Bassett earned the first offensive honor of his career, while Sallah garnered the third defensive honor of his career, league officials announced Tuesday.
Bassett assisted on DU’s game-winning goal in the sixth minute of the Pioneers’ road win at No. 9 Maryland. He also tallied an insurance goal from the penalty spot to give him a tally in each of Denver’s first three matches becoming the first Pio to do that since Andre Shinyashiki’s historic 2018 season.
The win over a top-10 foe was the first for Denver since the opening weekend of the 2018 season and first top-10 road win since a NCAA quarterfinal win over Clemson in 2016.
Sallah stopped all four of the Aztecs’ shots on goal, including a penalty kick in the second minute of the match. He made a pair of saves in both halves to lift the Mavericks to their second straight win.
The Maverick sophomore, who earned the final two defensive weekly accolades of the 2021 season, picks up his first of 2022 after recording his fifth career shutout.
OFFENSIVE PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Sam Bassett, Denver
So. | MF | Littleton, Colo.
- Assisted on the game-winner vs. No. 9 Maryland and added a penalty kick in the 2-0 victory
- The goal vs. the Terrapins marked the third straight match with a goal to open the season
- This is the first career Summit League weekly honor for Bassett
Also nominated: Muaza Sagir (Western Illinois), Mathis Pilon St. Louis (Omaha), Carlos Santamaria (Oral Roberts), Kazuki Kimura (Kansas City).
DEFENSIVE PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Nathanael Sallah, Omaha
So. | GK | Hamburg, Germany
- Made four saves including one on a penalty kick in the 2nd minute in a 1-0 victory over San Diego State
- The shutout was his first of the season and fifth of his career
- This is the third career Summit League weekly accolade for Sallah
Also nominated: Ronan Wynne (Denver), Jeremy Coste (Oral Roberts).
2022 Men’s Soccer Peak Performers of the Week
August 29
O: Ian Smith, Denver
D: Trevor Wrigth, Denver
September 6
O: Sam Bassett, Denver
D: Nathanael Sallah, Omaha
#SummitMSOC
