INDIANAPOLIS – League play counting for the standings in the fall season officially opens this Thursday as Great Midwest Athletic Conference Men’s Soccer Players of the Week honors were announced on Monday.
 
Cedarville, ranked 19th in the United Soccer Coaches Poll, along with Walsh, each have three wins in the first two weeks vs. non-conference opponents.
 
Offensive Player of the Week
Mounir Boutarfa
Tiffin
Center Mid
Graduate Student
Longueau, France (Universite Jules Verne)
 
The Dragons acquitted themselves well against Super Region competition this weekend vs. Saginaw Valley State and future conference member Northwood. Lake Erie was also competing in Tiffin for games on Friday and Sunday.
 
Boutarfa scored twice for Tiffin, which started the fall nationally ranked and as the conference preseason favorites.
 
Both of those goals were recorded against Northwood as the Dragons won by a final score of 3-1. The graduate student’s first score was a successful PK try in the first half.
 
He later delivered what would be the game winner in the 52nd minute of regulation. Boutarfa also had a shot on goal against Saginaw Valley State in a game that would go to overtime.
 
Defensive Player of the Week
Tommaso Favro
Tiffin
Midfield
Graduate Student
Busto Arsizio, Italy (Eastern New Mexico University)
 
There hasn’t been an easy game on Tiffin’s schedule after opening the season against now No. 12 ranked Gannon. The Dragons showed they rounding into form with a dominant display over Northwood as the defense allowed just five shots.
 
The Timberwolves managed just three shots in the first half and two in the second half as Favro and company made things very difficult for the offense.
 
Favro has one start in TU’s three games this year and has logged a total of 177 minutes.