Catawba’s Ryan Villiard named Men’s Soccer Player of the Week

ROCK HILL, S.C. ­- Catawba College junior midfielder Ryan Villiard (Holiday, Fla./Mitchell HS) is this week's South Atlantic Conference men's soccer Player of the Week, league officials announced Tuesday afternoon.

Villiard helped Catawba to three regional road wins last week, including a league-opening win at Mars Hill. Villiard had two match-winning goals during the week. On Wednesday at Mars Hill, he scored early in the second half to break a 1-1 tie and lead the Catawba Indians to the 3-1 SAC road win.

On Saturday at Wheeling Jesuit, Villiard struck again as Catawba earned a hard-fought 2-1 win over the Cardinals. The Catawba Indians also picked a big regional win at Shepherd University on Sunday.

On the season, Villiard has three goals and four assists. Catawba (6-2 overall, 1-0 in the SAC) has won four matches in a row. The Catawba Indians visit Wingate University for a SAC contest Wednesday night at 7 p.m.

The SAC Player of the Week is determined by a vote of the league's sports information directors.