Nov. 5, 2013

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Already honored as the national player of the week, Kentucky senior forward Tyler Riggs has been selected Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week, it was announced by the league office on Tuesday.

A native of Louisville, Ky., Riggs had four goals during Kentucky’s two-game week, including a hat trick on senior day. UK posted a win at Marshall last Wednesday, behind Riggs’ game-winning goal, then got the hat trick from Riggs in the win over Florida Atlantic on Sunday.

Riggs, a three-time All-Conference USA honoree, now has won 10 weekly awards in his decorated four-year career, including three Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week accolades. This marked his first C-USA Offensive Player of the Week honor since the 2011 season. On Monday, Riggs was named the College Soccer News National Player of the Week and to the CSN National Team of the Week.

Riggs’ hat trick marked the ninth in Kentucky soccer history and now gives the Wildcats hat tricks in three consecutive years. Riggs now has 28 goals in his career, the fourth-most in UK history, with his 65 points ranking seventh, ranking sixth in shots (136) and game-winning goals (seven).

He got goals in the 46th, 57th and 79th minutes, leading UK with seven shots in the 6-1 smashing over FAU. His three goals came in just 24 minutes played in the second half and his first goal came just 23 seconds into the second half, the third-fastest goal to open the final period in program history.

Kentucky has had a player win C-USA Offensive Player of the Week twice in 2013, as senior Brad Doliner was honored after his two-goal game in a 2-1 comeback win at Old Dominion on Oct. 4.

Kentucky (6-8-2, 3-3-2 C-USA) clinched a berth in the C-USA Tournament with the wins last week. The Wildcats will wrap up their home schedule with a non-conference tilt with Wright State at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, before concluding the regular season with a 7 p.m. ET matchup at No. 20 New Mexico, the league leader on Saturday.