In the first-ever weekly release by the Lone Star Conference to include the University of the Incarnate Word soccer programs, the UIW men's team had Callum Riley and Chris Fidler get named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, by the conference offices.
Riley, a junior midfielder, earned his award by scoring three goals against the NSCAA Preseason No. 10-ranked team in Rollins College in a 4-1 victory by the Cardinals.
Riley's goals put Incarnate Word up 3-0 before a late goal by Rollins got the home team on the scoreboard (a late goal by UIW kept the three-goal deficit intact). In the two games that Incarnate Word has played (2-0 overall record), Riley is shooting 100% of his attempts on-goal and has put away half his shots. He currently is ranked second in the conference in goals (3) and tied for second in points (6).
On the defensive side of the ball, Fidler, the new goalie for UIW, helped secure those two victories in Florida, allowing just one goal in each game against the No. 10 (Rollins) and No. 5 (University of Tampa) ranked teams in the NSCAA Preseason Poll.
Fidler, a junior transfer from across the pond, made seven saves and has a 77.8 save-percentage.
The victories in the Sunshine State propelled Incarnate Word to a No. 13 ranking by the NSCAA in the season's first poll of the 2010 season, and also dropped both Rollins and Tampa out of the Top 25 in the country for NCAA Division II.
The Cardinals take the field again on Friday on the road against Texas A&M International University.
Official Release By Lone Star Conference
