SIOUX FALLS, S.D. –St. Thomas midfielder Keegan James and Oral Roberts goalkeeper Jakub Grzesiak garnered the final TicketSmarter Summit League Men’s Soccer Peak Performer of the Week awards. James earned the first offensive honor of his career, while Grzesiak earned his third defensive honor of the season, league officials announced Monday.
James scored the first two goals of his collegiate career within the opening 10 minutes to lead the Tommies to a 3-1 victory over Western Illinois. James put UST ahead with his first tally in the sixth minute, then just over two minutes later, made it a 2-0 contest by heading home a cross from Kevin Sliva.
The Minneapolis native recorded the first brace of the season for the Tommies, who closed out their season with their first Summit League win of the campaign.
Grzesiak posted his sixth overall shutout and fourth in Summit League play in Oral Roberts’ 3-0 win over Omaha.
After making three first-half saves, Grzesiak stopped a penalty kick by the Mavericks in the 56
th minute that quickly led to a transition goal for ORU to break a scoreless tie.
The Bydgoszcz, Poland native’s three defensive weekly honors are the most by a Summit League player this season.
OFFENSIVE PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Keegan James, St. Thomas
Jr. | MF | Minneapolis, Minn.
- Scored first two collegiate goals of career in opening 10 minutes of 3-1 win over WIU
- Recorded first brace of the season by a Tommie
- This is the first Summit League weekly honor of the season for James
Also nominated: Bryce Willoughby (Denver); Luis Flores (Oral Roberts).
DEFENSIVE PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Jakub Grzesiak, Oral Roberts
Fr. | GK | Bydgoszcz, Poland
- Made three saves during a scoreless first half in 3-0 win over Omaha
- Stopped a penalty kick by the Mavericks in the 56th minute with game still scoreless
- Posted his sixth overall shutout and fourth in League play
- This is the third weekly accolade of the season for Grzesiak
Also nominated: Dylan Akau (Denver); Tucker Mann (St. Thomas).
2023 Men’s Soccer Peak Performers of the Week
August 28
O: Juan Moreno, Oral Roberts
D: Jason Belloli, Denver
September 5
O: Luis Flores, Oral Roberts
D: Jakub Grzesiak, Oral Roberts
September 11
O: Junior Casillas, Omaha
O: Oje Ofunrein, Denver
D: Ian Smith, Denver
September 18
O: Brice Middleton, Kansas City
D: Nathanael Sallah, Omaha
September 25
O: Sam Bassett, Denver
D: Stefano Camerlengo, Kansas City
October 2
O: Jose Estrada, Oral Roberts
D: Nathanael Sallah, Omaha
October 9
O: Luis Flores, Oral Roberts
D: Isaac Nehme, Denver
October 16
O: Luis Flores, Oral Roberts
D: Jakub Grzesiak, Oral Roberts
October 23
O: Holger Olsson, Denver
D: Robin Balters, Kansas City
October 30
O: Luis Flores, Oral Roberts
D: Isaac Nehme, Denver
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