This season the ECNL will feature the college corner, a section highlighting standout ECNL alums who were named Players of the Week from their respective NCAA Division 1 conferences around the country. This week features six players who were outstanding on the field for their college teams.
American Athletic Conference Goalkeeper of the Week
Cole Johnson - SMU
ECNL Club - Real Salt Lake FC-AZ
Johnson picked up his third straight American Athletic Conference Goalkeeper of the Week award, as he finished with five saves for the Mustangs in the 2-1 win over South Florida.
Atlantic Sun Goalkeeper of the Week
Daniel Copeland - Florida Gulf Coast
ECNL Club - Miramar United
Copeland made an impressive debut for the Eagles, earning a 4-0 shutout victory against Stetson. The Miramar United alum made four saves as he recorded FGCU's first shutout of the season.
Big East Offensive Player of the Week
Jacob Murrell - Georgetown
ECNL Club - Pipeline SC
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.
Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week
Alex Harris - Cornell
ECNL Club - Washington Timbers
Harris scored both goals in Cornell's 2-1 win over defending national champion Syracuse. He also added an assist in Cornell's 1-1 draw with Harvard.
Patriot League Rookie of the Week
Brock Frasier - Holy Cross
ECNL Club - Charlotte SA
Frasier was part of a Crusader defense that did not allow a goal in shutout victories over Army and UMass.
Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week
Nate Martinez - Georgia Southern
ECNL Club - Concorde Fire
Martinez faced 34 shots and tallied a total 10 saves last week in matches against Mercer and No. 2 West Virginia. The sophomore keeper led the Eagles to its first tie in Sun Belt play since 2021, playing the second-ranked Mountaineers to a scoreless draw on Friday. West Virginia rattled off 20 shots in the match, with Martinez recording a career-high seven saves on the night. The 0-0 draw was his fourth clean sheet of 2023, a mark that ranks second in the league and ninth nationally. His .821 save percentage also ranks third in the Sun Belt.
