The BIG EAST conference unveiled its weekly awards for men’s soccer on August 24, 2026, spotlighting the most influential performances from the opening week of play.
Offensive Player of the Week
Carter Tavares of Creighton burst onto the collegiate scene, recording two goals and two assists in his debut, earning the league’s Offensive Player of the Week honor.
Defensive Player of the Week
Ivar Nå Aga anchored St. John’s backline, helping the team to a 5‑0 road victory and adding an assist, a display that secured him the Defensive Player of the Week award.
Goalkeeper of the Week
Alex Yagudayev between the posts for Villanova turned away all four shots on target in a clean‑sheet shutout, earning the Goalkeeper of the Week title.
The weekly honor roll also highlighted additional contributors, including London Sears of Akron, who opened his college career with a goal and an assist in a 3‑0 shutout of Dayton, and Mitchell Baker of Georgetown, whose goal and assist helped the Hoyas remain unbeaten at 1‑0‑1.
Charlie DeMarco in goal for Georgetown made eight saves while allowing just two goals across his appearances, posting a clean sheet in one match.
Rising Stars
Freshmen Tomiwa Adewumi of Marquette and Brage Birkelund Eie of St. John’s each found the net in their first two outings, with Adewumi’s strike proving decisive in a 2‑0 win over Saint Mary’s and Eie adding two goals and an assist in a 5‑0 triumph over Loyola Maryland.
The early wave of performances suggests a competitive season ahead, with multiple programs showcasing depth and talent that could reshape the conference standings as the schedule progresses.