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Edwards, Espinal named SSAC Men's Soccer Players of the Week
By Matt Green
ATLANTA -- Shorter University swept the first installment of Southern States Athletic Conference Men's Soccer Player of the Week honors the conference announced on Monday.
Shorter junior goalkeeper Ryan Edwards was named SSAC Defensive Player of the Week and freshman striker Irvin Espinal earned SSAC Offensive Player of the Week honors after each player helped the Hawks to a 2-0 week with wins over Tennessee Wesleyan and Warner University. Shorter is now 3-0 for the first time in program history.
Edwards posted a clean sheet in his first appearance of the season on Friday night as Shorter routed visiting Warner 4-0.
He made six saves in 90 minutes against the Royals, who received a vote in the NAIA Men's Soccer Preseason Top 25 Coaches Poll, including a one-on-one stop from point blank range in the first half and a sprawling stop on a shot from distance in the second stanza that helped Shorter to its first shutout of the 2011 season.
Espinal, a former prep star at Dalton High, scored three goals in two games to lead Shorter's offensive attack. His goal 4:26 into overtime completed Shorter's rally from a two-goal deficit on the road at Tennessee Wesleyan last Tuesday and sent the Hawks to a 3-2 win over the Bulldogs.
Espinal followed up his game winner with two goals in a six minute span against Warner, strikes that turned a narrow one-goal edge into a comfortable three-goal cushion early in the second half. He currently ranks second on the team in goals scored (3) behind senior Garry Perks (4).
The Hawks return to action on Wednesday, Sept. 7 when they play host to Young Harris College on Ben Brady Field at 7:30 pm.
