After scoring both goals in his team's 2-1 win at Quinnipiac, Wuilito Fernandes (Praia, Cape Verde) of the UMass Lowell men's soccer team was named the River Hawk of the Week, after being named the America East Player of the Week and earning a spot on the College Soccer News National Team of the Week.
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Fernandes broke the scoreless tie in the 53rd minute when he headed home a Carlos Ruiz (East Boston, Mass.) cross that froze the Bobcat keeper and slipped inside the left post.
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The senior doubled the buffer with another tally in the 66th minute off a double assist from Ivan Abramovic (Zagreb, Croatia) and Ivan Blaskic (Zagreb, Croatia). The Croatians teamed up to move the ball from midfield to Fernandes just inside the box, and the team's leading scorer did the rest sneaking the ball under the sliding keeper.
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The National Team of the Week recognizes the 11 best players from the previous week's action; Fernandes was one of two New England players and the lone America East player on the list.
This is the third America East honor for the men's soccer team this fall, but the first Player of the Week nod, after Abramovic won back-to-back Rookie of the Week awards.
The "River Hawk of the Week" is chosen in voting by the UMass Lowell Athletic Communications staff. It honors the top athlete, male or female, based on performance during the previous week of competition. Because of the unique accomplishment the staff chose to give the honor to the entire team.Â
The River Hawks go for their sixth consecutive win, hosting Brown on September 14 at 7 p.m.
