ONU's Papanikolaou, HCC's Fuentealba Key Playoff Wins, Gain Weekly Honors

CHICAGO --- Being key pieces to their respective teams' first-round playoff victories, Olivet Nazarene University's Konstantin Papanikolaou (Vienna, Austria) and Holy Cross College's Claudio Fuentealba (Rancagua, Chile) have been named the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Men's Soccer Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, the league office announced on Tuesday.

Fuentealba claimed the recognition for the second week in a row after the sophomore goalkeeper earned the shutout in a 3-0 win over Judson University on Friday.  He stopped three shots in the contest to record his seventh blanking of the season.

The shutout moved Fuentealba into a tie for the conference lead in that category.  He also ranks second in the league in goals-against average (0.93) and third in save percentage (.778).

With the victory, Holy Cross moves (10-4-4) on to the semifinal round Tuesday night to face top-seed Olivet Nazarene.

Speaking of the Tigers, they collected three goals and an assist from Papanikolaou, who claimed his first CCAC weekly honor.  The sophomore midfielder recorded his hat trick in the first half of ONU's 8-2 decision over Saint Xavier University on Friday.

Papanikolaou's three goals enabled him to move into a tie for the top spot in the league in goals scored with 11.  His 24 points also rank him fifth in the conference.

Olivet Nazarene is 14-1-3 entering its match with Holy Cross College on Tuesday.

Other Offensive Nominees: Elmin Ejup (Holy Cross), Luuk Van Ommeren (Cardinal Stritch).

Other Defensive Nominees: Gerardo Flores (Roosevelt), Alexandre Baranes (Cardinal Stritch), Max Schoebel (Olivet Nazarene).