Pochop named conference, national player of the week

INDIANOLA, Iowa — Garrett Pochop earned Iowa Conference and National Soccer Coaches Association of America Player of the Week honors after scoring six goals in two games last week and setting a school record for goals in a season.

A junior from Pierre, S.D., Pochop was named the conference's offensive player of the week for the third time this season while being recognized as the nation's top player for the first time in his career. Pochop recorded back-to-back hat tricks for the Storm in wins over Buena Vista (7-2) on Tuesday and Central (4-3) on Saturday to win the awards for the period ending Sunday, Oct. 30. He added two assists for 14 total points on the week.

Saturday's three-goal performance helped the Storm advance to the IIAC Tournament Semifinals and gave Pochop a school-record 22 goals on the season, breaking the mark of 21 set by Fabiano Rivero in 2000. Pochop scored the game-winner against the Dutch.

Already a CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team selection, the accolades are rolling in for Pochop, who is tied for fourth in the nation in goals and tied for fifth with 51 points. 

Pochop and the Storm (12-7-1) travel to Dubuque to face top-seeded Loras in the semifinal round of the IIAC Tournament on Wednesday.