SOMERSET, N.J. – Fairleigh Dickinson men's soccer junior forward
Diego Arribas was named the Northeast Conference Men's Soccer Player of the Week, announced by the league office Tuesday afternoon.
Arribas netted two goals and an assist in a 2-0 week for the Knights that included victories over
23rd-ranked UConn on the road and
Gonzaga at home. Arribas first assisted
Adrian Barajas' goal that tied the match at 1-1 against UConn before later scoring the game-winning goal on a volley kick in the box that lofted over the goalkeeper and into the net for his second goal of the year.
The junior then added a penalty kick goal in the second half of the Gonzaga victory, helping pad the Knights lead to ensure the team's second straight victory.
The native of Madrid, Spain, now leads the NEC in goals scored (3) and points (7) this season. His winner over UConn also helped the Knights improve to 5-2-1 this decade against ranked opponents, including three straight wins over foes listed in the national rankings.
The conference weekly award is the second of his career, also earning Player of the Week last season after assisting on three goals and scoring another in a
win over Sacred Heart last season. Arribas was also named
NEC Rookie of the Week as a freshman after assisting on all three goals in FDU's comeback win over Bucknell in 2017.
The Knights (3-1) have won three of their first four games to start the season and are ranked
second in the Northeast Region while also receiving a vote in the national rankings. FDU off to their best start since going 5-0-1 to start the 2017 season, which also saw the Knights earn a no. 21 ranking in the United Soccer Coaches National Top 25 poll.
FDU travels to Cornell for its next match on Saturday, September 14, at 5 p.m., before returning home to host NJIT on Tuesday, September 17, at 7 p.m., at University Stadium.
Bogota Savings Bank is the presenting sponsor of the 2019 men's soccer season.
