Men's Soccer's Watson, Pastuna & Nunez Named Wilson Weekly Award Honorees
MAAC Sports
Wilson Offensive Player of the Week
Nicholas Watson, Niagara
So., M, 5’8, Greenville, S.C./JL Mann
Sophomore midfielder Nicholas Watson scored three goals against Iona to erase an early 2-0 deficit and give the Purple Eagles the 3-2 upset win over the Gaels on Saturday at Niagara Field. Watson's first tally came just over five minutes into the second half. Julian Ekeze got control of the ball wide on the right wing and sent a cross into Watson just inside the 18-yard box. The sophomore did not miss as he netted the cross inside the left post. Niagara tied the game 16 minutes later as Watson stole the ball while in a crowd at the top of the 18-yard box and found a small space before he turned and fired a shot that curled into the top left corner of the net in the 67th minute. He completed the comeback in overtime with a shot that found the bottom left corner of the net to give his squad the 3-2 win. He started the week with an assist against Rider on Wednesday.
Wilson Defensive Player of the Week
David Pastuna, Rider
So., GK, 6’0, Robinsville, N.J./Syracuse/Robbinsville
In a 2-0 week for the Broncs, sophomore goalkeeper David Pastuna played 172 minutes and allowed only one goal and while making nine saves during the week. Pastuna shutout Manhattan on the road in 1-0 win stopping all five shots he faced. The keeper kept Niagara in check holding the Purple Eagles to just one goal stopping four shots in 82 minutes of play.
Wilson Rookie of the Week
Marcos Nunez, Iona
Fr., F, 5’5, Tabaiba Baja, Spain/La Salle San Ildentonso
Freshman Marcos Nunez registered five points in the Gaels' 4-3 victory over Saint Peter's with two goals and one assist. Nunez scored Iona's first tally, his first career goal, in the 17th minute before recording the game-winner in the 87th minute. Nunez was also credited with an assist on teammate Ignacio Maganto's 25th minute goal.
About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
The MAAC, headquartered in Edison, N.J., consists of 11 member institutions for 2014: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Monmouth University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter's University and Siena College. For more on the conference please visit, www.maacsports.com. Be sure to follow the MAAC on Facebook and Twitter: @MAACSports.