Date Posted: 9/24/2007

MACON, Ga. - Stetson's Eugene Starikov started his campaign for Atlantic Sun Offensive Player of the Week last week with a game-winning goal against Central Florida. He built on that effort with two more game-winning goals this week, including one against Clemson, a team who at the time was ranked No. 6 in the South Region, to win the award, announced on Monday by the conference office.

Starikov, who only trails Belmont's Justin Mooneyham in the conference in goals, has struck at timely moments. All three of his goals have been game-winners. In addition to the goals against Central Florida and Clemson, he deposited the game-winner against Wofford on Friday. The freshman from Palm Harbor, Fla. leads the A-Sun in game-winning goals. He is tied with Tanner Wolfe for team honors in goals and points. Coincidentally, Starikov is the first Offensive Player of the Week for the Hatters since Wolfe earned the award in October 2005.

Jacksonville's Joey Sanchez made his return to the net on Sunday from injury for the Dolphins game against UAB, a team that entered the game 5-2 and fresh off of a road victory against No. 10 Indiana two nights earlier. He made five saves and recorded his first-career shutout. This effort earned him the Atlantic Sun's Defensive Player of the Week award, the conference office announced on Monday.

The junior from Houston had suffered a broken finger in the Dolphins' opening game of the season against DePaul. He missed the subsequent four games and the Dolphins went just 1-2-1. He made six previous starts during his first two years with the Dolphins, compiling a 2-3 record. In the season-opener this year, he allowed a pair of goals to DePaul in a 2-0 loss. Sanchez is just the second Dolphin to win Defensive Player of the Week since the start of 2003. The only other winner was his former teammate Chad Comroe who won the final honor of the 2006 season.

The Atlantic Sun Conference is a 12-member league committed to Building Winners for Life, with a focus on academic and athletic integrity and a balance between the two for the student-athlete, and maintaining a high level of sportsmanship. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun encompasses six of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun consists of some of the most dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, Campbell University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Gardner-Webb University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University.

Other Top Performers

Vicente Arze, MER (Sr. - F - Santa Cruz, Bolivia - Business) -- Scored game-tying goal in Friday's match vs Evansville; Picked up an assist vs Memphis on Sunday; named to the all-tournament team.

Anton Axelsson, JU (Sr. - F - Vaxjo, Sweden - Philosophy and Psychology) -- Scored the only goal of the Dolphins' 1-0 upset over UAB; Named one of the 20 finalists for the Lowe's Senior Class Award.

Ron Gravely, BEL (So. - GK - Dallas - Psychology) -- Helped Belmont to 2-1 OT victory over Central Arkansas on Friday; posted second shutout of the season in Belmont's 0-0 tie against Dayton on Sunday.

Justin Mooneyhan, BEL (Sr. - MF/F - Nashville, Tenn. - Entrepreneurship) -- Scored game-winning goal in Belmont's 2-1 overtime victory over Central Arkansas on Friday.

Josue Soto, CAM (Fr. - MF - Monterrey, Mexico - International Business) -- Soto scored his 2nd game-winning goal in a week to lift CU to a 2-1 overtime victory at UNC Asheville on Saturday.

Related Links:
 • A-Sun Men's Soccer