Sept. 11, 2012
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Notre Dame men’s soccer players Leon Brown (Jr./F), Max Lachowecki (So./D) and Grant Van De Casteele (Sr./D) have combined to earn national and conference honors for their performances over the weekend in helping the Fighting Irish win the Mike Berticelli Memorial Tournament. The Irish posted wins over Oregon State (1-0) and No. 4 Akron (3-1).
Van De Casteele was named to the College Soccer News national team of the week. Lachowecki was tapped as the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week and Brown was selected to the conference’s weekly honor roll. The pair of wins improved Notre Dame to 5-0 this season. It is the program’s best start since posting nine straight victories to open the 1987 campaign.
Brown (Mattapan, Mass./The Roxbury Latin School) tallied three points on one goal and one assist during weekend. He netted the equalizer in the 49th minute in the 3-1 victory over Akron. Brown assisted on Lachowecki’s game winner versus Oregon State. The junior was named the Mike Berticelli Memorial Tournament Offensive MVP.
Lachowecki (Evansville, Ind./Reitz Memorial) scored in the 81st minute to propel the Irish to the 1-0 win over Oregon State. The left back also helped the Fighting Irish defense blank the Beaver offense, which entered the match averaging four goals per game. Against Akron, he had one shot on goal and had another attempt hit the post. Lachowecki earned a spot on the Berticelli all-tournament team.
Van De Casteele (Plano, Texas/Frisco Centennial) anchored a Fighting Irish backline that surrendered just one goal in 180 minutes of action against two high-powered offenses. The central defender was named the Mike Berticelli Memorial Tournament Defensive MVP.
Notre Dame has produced a BIG EAST player-of-the-week honoree during each of the first three weeks of the 2012 season. Junior Andrew O’Malley was named the league’s defensive player of the week Aug. 27 and senior Ryan Finley was selected as the offensive player of the week Sept. 3.
The eighth-ranked Fighting Irish return to action Friday when they play host to Michigan State. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. (ET) at Alumni Stadium.
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