CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- A pair of America East men's soccer standouts led their respective teams to unbeaten weeks during the final full week of non-conference play in 2012 and have earned the conference's weekly awards as a result.
Milo Kapor racked up five points in leading UMBC to a pair of wins as he earned Player of the Week honors, while Stony Brook's Martin Giordano recorded points in each of Stony Brook's games to garner Rookie of the Week accolades. The award winners for the week ending Sept. 23 were announced Monday morning.
Kapor (Toronto, Ontario) factored in all four UMBC goals last week, scoring once and adding three assists, to earn Player of the Week honors for the first time in his career. The senior midfielder, whose eight assists are tied for the most in the country, set up both scores in the Retrievers' 2-0 win over Loyola on Wednesday. He then had a goal and an assist in a 2-1 win over George Washington on Saturday, converting a penalty kick in the 15th minute, then setting up Jordan Becker's game-winning score just three minutes later. Kapor, who was named to the College Soccer News National Team of the Week, has contributed to all 10 of UMBC's goals this season (2G, 8A).
Giordano (Weston, Fla.) helped Stony Brook extend its unbeaten streak to five (4-0-1) as he scored a goal and had an assist to earn America East's top rookie honor last week. The freshman midfielder scored in the first minute of the Seawolves' 2-1 win at Sacred Heart on Wednesday, heading home Kyle Schlesinger's free kick. He then set up SBU's lone goal in its 1-1 tie at Central Connecticut State on Sunday as he found Leonardo Fernandes through a crowd with time winding down in regulation ('87). Giordano has a point in each of his last three matches and ranks third among Seawolves with five points on the year.
In addition to Stony Brook's unbeaten streak, Vermont ran its unbeaten stretch to five (2-0-3) as well with a win over Hofstra and tie against Quinnipiac last week behind three goals from D.J. Edler. Boston U. (4-0 over Holy Cross), Hartford (2-1 over Quinnipiac) and Binghamton (3-0 over Adelphi) also earned wins last week.
Conference play begins Saturday with all eight men's soccer sponsoring schools in action. Albany will host Stony Brook, Binghamton entertaining New Hampshire, Boston U. welcoming Hartford and UMBC hosting Vermont.
2012 America East Men's Soccer Weekly Award Winners
Aug. 27 - Player of the Week: Scott Kisling (Vermont); Rookie of the Week: Alejandro Fritz (Stony Brook)
Sept. 4 - Player of the Week: Pete Caringi III (UMBC); Rookie of the Week: Anthony Rozzano (Albany)
Sept. 10 - Co-Players of the Week: Travis Worra (New Hampshire), Conor Leland (Vermont); Rookie of the Week: Javoni Simms (Hartford)
Sept. 17 - Player of the Week: Leonardo Fernandes (Stony Brook); Rookie of the Week: Javoni Simms (Hartford)
Sept. 24 - Player of the Week: Milo Kapor (UMBC); Rookie of the Week: Martin Giordano (Stony Brook)