NEW ORLEANS – Following standout performances in week two of conference action, Marshall’s Adam Aoumaich and Georgia Southern’s Nate Martinez have been named Sun Belt Men’s Soccer Players of the Week.
Offensive Player of the Week
Adam Aoumaich
[Sr. | F | Paris, France]
Adam Aoumaich played a crucial role for the Herd in their 1-0 victory over No. 3 UCF on Saturday. The forward from Paris, France scored the game-winning goal for Marshall in the 25
th minute of the match, handing the third-ranked Knights their first loss of the season. Aoumaich is part of a front line that ranks first in the Sun Belt and second nationally with 3.25 goals per game. The senior also sits fifth in the conference and 59
th in the country with four goals on the year.
Defensive Player of the Week
Nate Martinez
[So. | GK | Decatur, Ga.]
Nate Martinez faced 34 shots and tallied a total 10 saves last week in matches against Mercer and No. 2 West Virginia. The sophomore keeper led the Eagles to its first tie in Sun Belt play since 2021, playing the second-ranked Mountaineers to a scoreless draw on Friday. West Virginia rattled off 20 shots in the match, with Martinez recording a career-high seven saves on the night. The 0-0 draw was his fourth clean sheet of 2023, a mark that ranks second in the league and ninth nationally. His .821 save percentage also ranks third in the Sun Belt.
2023 Sun Belt Men’s Soccer Offensive Players of the Week
Week 1 – Matthew Bell, Marshall
Week 2 – Marco Silva, Marshall
Week 3 – Marcus Caldeira, West Virginia
Week 4 – Matthew Bell, Marshall
Week 5 – Adam Aoumaich, Marshall
2023 Sun Belt Men’s Soccer Defensive Players of the Week
Week 1 – Luca Nikolai, James Madison
Week 2 – Zane Bubb, UCF
Week 3 – Carlos Hernando, West Virginia
Week 4 – Ben Alexander, South Carolina
Week 5 - Nate Martinez, Georgia Southern