By: Cody Bush, Associate Commissioner / Strategic Communications

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference’s Week 4 men’s soccer award again went to a group of first-time winners.
 
University of Colorado Colorado Springs forward Mile Seminario scored twice against nationally ranked CSU Pueblo, and goalkeeper Soren Russell surrendered just two goals in two matches to nab the league’s offensive and goalkeeper honors, respectively. Metropolitan State University of Denver defender Nicco Schiappa had a goal and an assist while leading a defense that surrendered only two goals and earned the league’s defensive award.
 
All three were first-time winners this season, continuing the RMAC’s early season trend, where the men’s soccer awards have not had a repeat winner in the first four weeks.
 
Offensive Player of the Week
Miles Seminario, University of Colorado Colorado Springs (Junior, Forward, Colorado Springs, Colorado)
Seminario provided both UCCS goals in a 2-1 victory at CSU Pueblo, helping the Mountain Lions complete a 2-0 week. He had a pair of shots on goal in the week’s first match against Colorado Mesa, which saw him play 78 minutes. Seminario then broke out against the ThunderWolves, scoring in the fourth and 71st minutes – the latter on a rebound off his own penalty kick – while placing three shots on goal.

Honorable Mention: Ranulfo Lopez, Adams State; Lucas Peruzo, Colorado Christian; Joao Pedro Moraes, Colorado Mesa; Tomas Duenes Gonzalez, Fort Lewis; Cooper Landry, MSU Denver; Ignacio Bellina, Regis; Landon Ward, Westminster.  
 
Defensive Player of the Week
Nicco Schiappa, Metropolitan State University of Denver (Senior, Defender, Torrance, California)
Schiappa led an MSU Denver defense that surrendered only two goals while chipping in a goal and an assist on the offensive side to help the Roadrunners post a 2-0 record during the week. In the week’s first match, he played 78 minutes and assisted on the game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory against Westminster University. Schiappa followed that by heading in a goal off a corner kick against Colorado School of Mines while playing all 90 minutes in MSU Denver’s 3-1 victory.
 
Honorable Mention: Tim Mietenkorte, Adams State; Jonah Elstad, Colorado Mesa; Adnan Elaqad, Fort Lewis; Dillon Clarke, UCCS; Kelii Killehua, Westminster Univeristy.
 
Goalkeeper of the Week
Soren Russell, University of Colorado Colorado Springs (Junior, Goalkeeper, Bellevue, Washington)
Russell picked up a pair of victories and allowed two goals while making eight saves to backstop UCCS’ 2-0 week on the pitch. He faced 12 shots (five on goal) in a victory against Colorado Mesa, making four saves. Against nationally-ranked CSU Pueblo, he started down 15 shots (five on goal) and again made four saves in a second-straight 2-1 victory.

Honorable Mention: JP Fernandez, Adams State; Diego Chavez, Colorado Mesa; Lucas Martin, Fort Lewis; Nick McNeil, MSU Denver; Greg Squire, Regis; Tommy Manwaring, Westminster University.

About the RMAC
The RMAC is a premier NCAA Division II conference located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with 15 member schools. The RMAC sponsors 22 varsity NCAA sports and has produced 65 NCAA Division II national champions and 52 national runners-up since 1992.
 
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