Tate McCrery, a redshirt senior defensive midfielder for Bellarmine University, has been crowned the ASUN Defensive Player of the Week for men’s soccer after a performance that turned a deficit into a decisive victory.
Defensive Player of the Week: A Deserved Accolade
Against Northern Kentucky, McCrery’s assist on the Knights’ first second‑half goal sparked a fluid passing move that linked David Skorupan and Johan Nissen‑Lie before the ball found Colin Mackey, whose strike sealed the comeback.
He remained on the pitch for the full 90 minutes across two fixtures, helping the defense concede only a single penalty kick and limiting Northern Kentucky to three shots on goal while Xavier’s attack was completely shut out.
The weekly award marks the second straight Bellarmine defender to earn the league honor, following Gavin Crowe’s recent recognition, underscoring a growing depth of defensive talent within the program.
Coach commentary highlighted the midfielder’s leadership and tactical awareness, noting that his ability to control the midfield will be pivotal as the Knights approach the conference tournament.