Binghamton sophomore midfielder Bryan Arnault and UMBC senior back Mike Pennacchia shared America East Player of the Week honors while Maine's Jimmy Velas was named Rookie of the Week. The awards were announced Monday, September 13.
Arnault (Clay, N.Y./Cicero North Syracuse) was named MVP of the Philadelphia Soccer Classic, scoring a goal in each of the Bearcats' wins (vs. Philadelphia and Saint Joseph's). It marked the second time in as many weeks that Arnault has been honored at a tournament after being named Offensive MVP of the Buffalo Fall Classic.
Pennacchia (Baltimore, Md./Calvert Hall), who has started 58 games in his career, had his first multi-point game with two goals and an assist in the Retrievers' 3-0 win at Mount St. Mary's Saturday.
Velas (Falmouth, Maine/Falmouth) scored his first two collegiate goals as the Black Bears defeated Massachusetts, 3-1, Saturday. Velas tied the game, 1-1, in the 54th minute then scored the game-winner a little over five minutes later.