NEW ORLEANS – Marshall’s Matthew Bell and James Madison’s Luca Nikolai recorded standout performances on the pitch against non-conference competition this past week to garner Sun Belt Men’s Soccer Player of the Week honors. 
 
Offensive Player of the Week
Matthew Bell, Marshall
[So. | F | Kingston, Jamaica]
 
Matthew Bell began the 2023 season where he left off in 2022. The 2022 Sun Belt Men’s Soccer Freshman of the Year started his sophomore campaign on a high note, registering the first hat trick of his career on nine shots, including four on goal, in the season opener against Oakland. Bell tallied his first goal just 1:33 into the match before following it up with a pair of goals in the 15^th and 64^th minutes. The sophomore forward finished last season tied for the conference lead with 10 goals and was named to the 2023 Missouri Athletic Club (MAC) Hermann Trophy Watch List prior to the start of the 2023 season. 
 
Defensive Player of the Week
Luca Nikolai, James Madison
[Fr. | D | Kaarst, Germany]
 
Luca Nikolai played a pivotal role in the Dukes’ 2-0 start to the 2023 season. Nikolai picked up a pair of assists during the opening week, both on the two game-winning goals. The Kaarst, Germany, native helped anchor a backline that held a receiving votes UCLA team to only three shots on goal, while also sending the service for the game-winning goal in the 73rd minute of the match to help earn a shutout win over the Bruins. In total, Nikolai and the defense have seen 25 shots taken between the first two matches and have only allowed one goal.