MADISON, S.D. -- Two Bellevue University men's soccer players were honored as the North Star Athletic Association's Players of the Week for the week ending Oct. 23.
Juniors Rob Smith (Lincoln, England) and Daniel Coupland (Harrogate, England) were named the league's Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively.
Smith, an attacking midfielder, led Bellevue to a convincing 10-1 victory over Presentation in the Bruins' lone match last week. He scored his second hat trick of the season and assisted on one other goal. Smith recorded the hat trick by the 50th minute and saw just 57 minutes of game time. He scored the game-winning goal for the second time this season.
It is the third time that Smith has been named the conference Offensive Player of the Week. He previously earned the distinction on Sept. 15, 2014 (in the MCAC) and on Nov. 11, 2015.
Coupland, a midfielder/defender, had a terrific two-way game for the Bruins helping them cruise to their 10-1 win over the Saints. He helped lead a defensive unit that conceded just three shots, just one of which found its way on goal. It was the fourth-straight game that Bellevue held its opposition to just one goal. Offensively, Coupland scored a hat trick of his own and assisted on two other goals.
This is the second time in three weeks that Coupland has been honored as the NSAA's Defensive Player of the Week after previously winning the award on Oct. 11.
The Bruins have now won five matches in a row to up their record to 8-6-2 overall and 3-0-0 in the North Star. BU is ranked 36th in the latest MRPI (Modified Ratings Percentage Index) which is used to determine at-large bid for the NAIA National Tournament.
Bellevue plays at Grace tomorrow evening at 6 p.m. before closing out the regular-season with Senior Day on Saturday, Oct. 29 at 2:30 p.m. against Waldorf.
