By Nicholas Huenefeld/OCCAC Sports Information

Kyle Grothaus of Cincinnati State Technical and Community College and Ryan Wicher of Owens Community College have been named the OCCAC men's soccer offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively.

Grothaus, a sophomore midfielder for the Surge, scored five goals this past weekend against NJCAA Region XII opponents Muskegon Community College and Lake Michigan College.

In a 4-1 win over Muskegon, he scored twice (in the 34th minute and 64th minute). His second goal of the game was one for the highlight reels as he bent a shot into the back of the net off a corner kick. He followed his two goal performance with his second hat trick of the season on Sunday in a 5-1 win over Lake Michigan. He scored all three goals in the first half.

Grothaus currently leads the 11-1-2 Surge in scoring with 12 goals on the season. He is ranked 17th in the NJCAA in goals scored.

Wicher, a freshman goalkeeper for the Express, helped the Express shutout Mercyhurst North East Community College 4-0 in his only match of the week. He saved eight shots on goal in the game.

Overall this year, Wicher is 3-0 in three starts, while seeing action in four games. He has 12 saves this year.

The Express are currently 11-3-1 overall this year. They will host Monroe Community College at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Notes

The awards, for the week ending Oct. 6, are the first of the careers for both players.

The Surge have captured two consecutive OCCAC offensive player of the week selections (Bradley Gale won two weeks ago). Additionally, Liam Doyle was the co-offensive player of the week three weeks ago with Austin Combs of Owens Community College.

Wicher's selection as defensive player of the week breaks a three-week string of players from Cincinnati State (Austin Kleuh, Tucker Beerman and Ryan Hall) winning the award. Hall was also named NJCAA D-I Goalkeeper of the Week two weeks ago.

Special thanks to Nick Novy of Cincinnati State for contributing to this release.