ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – For the second straight week, the University of New Mexico men’s soccer team has swept the Conference USA Player of the Week Awards the conference office announced Monday. Niko Hansen was named Offensive Player of the Week, and Nicholas Rochowski earned Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Hansen and Rochowski helped the Lobos win the TLC Plumbing & Utility Invitational last weekend and were also named the Offensive and Defensive MVPs of the tournament. Hansen, a junior forward from Sacramento, California, by way of Oksbøl, Denmark, scored the game-winning goal in the 64th minute in Friday’s 1-0 win over Missouri State. With UNM trailing No. 21 American late in the second half Sunday night, he scored the game-tying goal in the 85th minute as the Lobos went on to win 2-1 in overtime. For his efforts he was also named to the College Soccer News National Team of the Week.
Rochowski, a redshirt junior from Dallas, was solid in the back for the Lobos all weekend. He played every second of both matches and is the only Lobo field player to play every minute of every match this season. His headed clearance on Friday night sprung Hansen on the break that eventually led to UNM’s goal. He also made a superb slide tackle Sunday evening as the last defender with UNM still trailing American.
This is the first career win for both players. UNM has now won six out of the eight weekly C-USA awards this season.
2015 C-USA Offensive Players of the Week
Aug. 31 – Josue Henriquez, Old Dominion
Sept. 8 – Chris Wehan, New Mexico
Sept. 14 – Chris Wehan, New Mexico
Sept. 21 – Nicholas Rochowski, New Mexico
2015 C-USA Defensive Players of the Week
Aug. 31 – Jason Beaulieu, New Mexico
Sept. 8 – Marvin Hezel, FIU
Sept. 14 – Jason Beaulieu, New Mexico
Sept. 21 – Nicholas Rochowski, New Mexico