KANSAS — Mario Santoro of the University of Saint Mary and Erik Huerta of Friends University have earned this week's KCAC Men's Soccer Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week honors, respectively, the conference office announced Tuesday. The two student-athletes were selected for their performances from Sept. 28-Oct. 4 by a vote of conference sports information directors. All KCAC Player of the Week honors are presented by
Athletic Solutions.
Offensive Player of the Week
Mario Santoro - University of Saint Mary
Sr. | F | Hilpoltstein, Germany
Santoro had a great outing against Kansas Wesleyan, scoring two goals on five shots and dishing out an assist in a much-needed win.
| Game |
gp |
gs |
gpg |
a/g |
pts/g |
sh/g |
sh% |
sog/g |
sog% |
| Sep 30 at Friends (KS) L, 2-0 * |
1 |
1 |
.00 |
.00 |
.00 |
1.00 |
.000 |
.00 |
.000 |
| Oct 3 vs. Kansas Wesleyan W, 4-1 * |
1 |
1 |
2.00 |
1.00 |
5.00 |
5.00 |
.400 |
3.00 |
.600 |
| Conference |
2 |
2 |
1.00 |
.50 |
2.50 |
3.00 |
.333 |
1.50 |
.500 |
| Overall |
2 |
2 |
1.00 |
.50 |
2.50 |
3.00 |
.333 |
1.50 |
.500 |
Defensive Player of the Week
Erik Huerta - Friends University
Jr. | D | Wichita, Kan.
The Friends University Falcons are yet to allow a goal in KCAC play and are off to a 5-0 start in conference play. This past week, it was Erik Huerta serving as the defensive facilitator in two shutout victories over the University of Saint Mary and York University, while also scoring the game-winning goal over USM. Huerta and the Falcons currently have a scoreless streak of 465 minutes and now rank second in the KCAC with six shutouts overall on the season.
| Game |
gp |
gs |
gpg |
a/g |
pts/g |
sh/g |
sh% |
sog/g |
sog% |
| Sep 30 vs. Saint Mary W, 2-0 * |
1 |
1 |
1.00 |
.00 |
2.00 |
2.00 |
.500 |
2.00 |
1.000 |
| Oct 3 vs. York (NE) W, 2-0 * |
1 |
1 |
.00 |
.00 |
.00 |
.00 |
- |
.00 |
- |
| Conference |
2 |
2 |
.50 |
.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
.500 |
1.00 |
1.000 |
| Overall |
2 |
2 |
.50 |
.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
.500 |
1.00 |
1.000 |
2026 KCAC MEN'S SOCCER SEASON PREVIOUS WEEKLY HONOREES:
- Week 1 (Aug. 31): Cristobal Schenfeld, Kansas Wesleyan (Offensive) | Alex Neri, Ottawa (Defensive)
- Week 2 (Sept. 7): Richard Livingston, Bethany (Offensive) | Alvaro Marchal, McPherson (Defensive)
- Week 3 (Sept. 14): Cale Scott, Ottawa (Offensive) | Marko Rodic, Oklahoma Wesleyan (Defensive)
- Week 4 (Sept. 22): Cale Scott, Ottawa (Offensive) | Ben Scognamillo, Friends (Defensive)
- Week 5 (Sept. 28): Cale Scott, Ottawa (Offensive) | Alex Neri, Ottawa (Defensive)
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ABOUT THE KANSAS COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and sponsors 29 varsity sports. Founded in 1890, the KCAC is the second oldest intercollegiate athletic conference in the country. As the conference home to 14 member institutions, the KCAC emphasizes commitment, cooperation, high achievement, and working towards a common goal in the act of competition. To keep up with the latest conference news, follow the KCAC on Facebook, Twitter/X, and Instagram using the handle @kcacsports.
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