INDIANAPOLIS - In the first week of conference soccer matches for the spring season, Lake Erie and Kentucky Wesleyan earn Great Midwest Men’s Soccer Player of the week honors announced Monday. 

Cedarville, Findlay, Kentucky Wesleyan, Lake Erie and Ohio Valley picked up their first conference wins of the season last week. 

Offensive Player of the Week
Ayden Von Essen
Lake Erie
Forward 
Sophomore
Hamilton, Australia (Saint Francis Xavier) 

Lake Erie defeated Ohio Dominican on Sunday afternoon, 2-1. Ayden Von Essen scored both of the Storm’s goals, both coming in the first period.

Von Essen’s first goal came at the 3:26 mark, assisted by Henrique Santos. His next goal came only minutes later to take a 2-0 lead. This time assisted by Daniel Utgaard. 

During his freshman season, Von Essen registered seven goals and six assists for a total of 20 points. 

The Storm will face Malone next on Thursday night in Canton, Ohio.

Defensive Player of the Week
Lucas Daunhauer
Kentucky Wesleyan
Goalkeeper 
Junior
Evansville, Indiana (Mater Dei)

After finishing 2-11-1 in conference play last season, Kentucky Wesleyan is off to a solid start to the 2021 spring season as the Panthers defeated Trevecca 1-0 in the first match of the season. 

Lucas Daunhauer recorded the shutout in goal with six saves on the afternoon. 

Daunhauer is a two-time all conference honorable mention selection. Last season he recorded 109 saves on the season, ranking eighth in the league. During his freshman campaign he led the conference in saves with 95.

The lone goal of the match came for the Panthers in the final seven minutes of play. Julian Gonzalez scored the goal, assisted by Max Wawrin. 

KWC will face Findlay on Thursday on the Panther’s home field.