Sept. 10, 2002

Cleveland, Ohio – Jamal Shteiwi, a sophomore midfielder on the University of Kentucky men’s soccer team, has been chosen as the Mid-American Conference Player of the Week, the conference office announced Tuesday. Shteiwi was honored for his play in last weekend’s Furman Invitational, where he scored the game-winning goal in Kentucky’s 1-0 shutout of Butler.

Shteiwi earned his first start of the season on Friday, after being featured in a reserve role in the Wildcats’ first two contests of the season. He amassed four shots over the weekend and provided a great deal of energy to Kentucky’s attack.

With Sunday’s match scoreless in the 57th-minute of play, Shteiwi was the difference-maker for Kentucky. After receiving a pass from freshman Dani Kamras, Shteiwi rifled a spectacular 24-yard shot past Butler’s goalkeeper and into the top corner of the net.

It was the first career goal for Shteiwi, who tallied three assists in only three games last season. It was the second time he has contributed two points in one match, though, as he had two assists against Georgetown College in 2001.

A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Shteiwi was one of two Kentucky players to be named to the Furman Invitational All-Tournament team. A finance major, he transferred to Kentucky prior to the 2000 season after using a redshirt year at Indiana University.

This is the second week this season that the conference has given out this honor, and both recipients have been Wildcats. Junior Nathan Fleetwood was the first honoree, following his two-assist performance at the Virginia Soccer Classic.