Pochop, Harry sweep IIAC Player of the Week honors
INDIANOLA, Iowa — For the second time this season, a pair of Simpson men's soccer players have swept IIAC Player of the Week honors as Garrett Pochop -- offensive player of the week -- and Josh Harry -- defensive player of the week -- earned the conference's weekly awards for the period ending Sunday, Oct. 9.
Simpson went 1-2 last week but picked up its biggest win of the season with a 3-0 win over Dubuque on Saturday. The Spartans were unbeaten in the Iowa Conference and ranked fourth in the North Region. Simpson suffered one-goal losses to Central and regionally-ranked Wis.-Whitewater earlier in the week.
A junior midfielder from Pierre, S.D., Pochop scored two goals and had one assist during the week. Both of Pochop's goals came in the 3-0 win over Dubuque, bringing his IIAC-leading total to 12 at the time. After his two goals against Coe on Tuesday, Pochop ranks 13th in Division III in total goals. The award is Pochop's second of the season, adding to his Sept. 11 accolade.
A senior defender from Clive, Iowa, Harry was the center back on a defense that allowed less than one goal per game during the week. He influenced the game on the offensive side with two assists in the win at Dubuque. The 2015 Second Team All-IIAC defender won the weekly honor for the first time in his career.
Simpson also swept the award on Sept. 25 when midfielder Nick Joslyn won the offensive award and goalkeeper Chris Harris won the defensive award.
Following Tuesday's 5-0 win over Coe, the Storm are 8-6-1 overall and 3-2 in the Iowa Conference with four games remaining during the regular season. Simpson is currently in a four-way tie for second place in the league standings and needs to finish in the top six to qualify for the Iowa Conference Tournament.
