Northwestern University Athletics
Eliason Earns Big Ten, National Weekly Honors
9/15/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 15, 2008
EVANSTON, Ill. -
Northwestern sophomore forward Matt Eliason (Lombard, Ill./Glenbard East) has been recognized for his stellar weekend by being named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week. He has also been named to the National Team of the Week by both College Soccer News and Top Drawer Soccer.
Eliason joins Mark Blades as NU individuals who have earned player-of-the-week honors from the Big Ten this season. Blades was named the co-Defensive Player of the Week a week ago.
Eliason was recognized as the most valuable player in helping lead the Wildcats to the title at the NIU/adidas Invitational in DeKalb, Ill., last weekend. He became the first Northwestern player in 11 years and third ever to record a hat trick when he did so in a 3-0 win over Eastern Illinois on Friday. All three of the goals came in the second half.
He followed up the effort by capping off the scoring Sunday with his fourth goal of the weekend in NU's 3-0 victory over Xavier.
Eliason's six goals so far this season lead the Big Ten and have already surpassed his season total from a year ago (5).
Northwestern's 5-0-1 record matches its best start to a season in school history. NU has shut out its opponent in five of the six contests. The Wildcats return to action at 6 p.m. Friday when they host Loyola Marymount at Lakeside Field.
