BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week

Jacob Murrell, Georgetown, So., F (Forest Hill, Md.)

Murrell led the Georgetown offensive attack to a pair of victories, including a 2-0 win over then-ninth-ranked James Madison, before topping Xavier on Saturday, 3-1. Overall, the sophomore forward tied for the BIG EAST lead with five points last week, tallying a goal in the win over The Dukes, before registering a goal and an assist against the Musketeers. In 2023, Murrell leads the BIG EAST with 2.00 points per game, notching six goals and two assists in seven games. Murrell has scored a goal in each of the last three outings, as the Hoyas now rank 16th in the latest United Soccer Coaches Poll and are 4-0-1 in their last five outings.

BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week

Will Jackson, Akron, RSr., D (Hudson Ohio)

Jackson led the defensive efforts for the Zips for the week limiting opponents to just 3.5 shots per game in a pair of contests, including only one shot on goal. Akron recorded a shutout over No. 15 Notre Dame on Tuesday holding the Fighting Irish, who came into the game averaging 13.7 shots per game, to zero shots on goal as part of three overall shots (all in the second half), while outshooting Notre Dame, 23-3. Jackson and the Zips followed that effort up outshooting St. John’s 19-4, while holding the Red Storm to only one shot on goal. The Red Storm averaged 15.5 shots and 5.1 shots on goal per contest. Offensively, Jackson posted five shots, including two on goal, for the Zips on the week. On the season, Jackson and the Zips are holding opponents to 7.0 shots per outing, including 2.9 shots on goal, en route to securing five shutouts, while he owns a goal and an assist on the strength of 20 shots, with six coming on net.

BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Week

Blake Gillingham, Creighton, So., GK (San Jose, Calif.)

Starting his second and third matches in goal, Gillingham limited Tulsa and DePaul to just one combined goal over 180 minutes to lead the Bluejays to a 1-0-1 week. Gillingham made five saves in the BIG EAST victory over the Blue Demons and four more in the 0-0 draw at Tulsa, to cap the week with nine saves and a .900 save percentage. Gillingham faced 14 shots in each contest, while collecting his first career shutout in a draw with Tulsa.

BIG EAST Freshman of the Week

Miguel Arilla, Creighton, Fr., F (Castellon, Spain)

Arilla delivered the game-winning goal for the Bluejays in Creighton’s 2-1 win over DePaul on Saturday. Arilla put the Bluejays up 2-0 in the 62nd minute of play, fielding a pass at the corner of the box from Omar Ramadan and beating a trio of DePaul defenders to fire his shot just inside the near post. It marked the second goal of his collegiate career and first game-winner.