Napo Matsoso Named C-USA Offensive Player of the Week
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LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky men’s soccer senior midfielder Napo Matsoso was named Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week on Monday.
Matsoso scored four of Kentucky’s five goals in Kentucky’s two wins last week. All four goals showcased his next-level individual ability in different ways.
The goals
Against FAU, Matsoso took advantage of failed clearances of corners.
Matsoso took the first corner, and collected a deflection along the left wing. He beat an onrushing FAU defender on the dribble, cut inside and curled a shot across the face of goal into the right side-netting.
For the second, Charlie Reymann took a corner from the right side, and after it pinged around in the 18-yard box, Connor Probert volleyed it back atop the box to his waiting co-captain. Matsoso popped the ball over a defenders’ head and then volleyed a bouncing shot in at the near post.
Against Marshall, he scored the first goal with his right foot, and the second with his left.
Matsoso whipped a 22-yard direct free kick in at the right upper-90 to open the scoring just past the 12-minute mark.
On a brace Matsoso collected the ball in an advanced position and the midfield virtuoso dribbled into the box, and eluded multiple defenders before slotting his left-footed shot inside the left post.
The notes
Matsoso has tallied two goals in each of the four games he’s scored in this season, and leads Kentucky with eight goals in 2016.
With 20 points (eight goals, four assists) this season, he’s had a hand in 50 percent (12 of 24) of Kentucky’s goals.
He ranks second in the league in goals (eight), and points (20).
Matsoso set a new career-high with eight goals this year.
He earned C-USA Player of the Week honors for the first time this year and third time of his career.
He was also named to College Soccer News’ Team of the Week.
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