IRVINE, Calif. – This week’s PacWest Men’s Soccer Players of the Week are BYU-Hawaii’s Jacob McRae, Academy of Art’s Kevin Mendez and Chaminade’s Ryan Arkelian. The awards are based on games played Sept. 7-13.
 
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jacob McRae (BYU-Hawaii)
F, Jr., Kaysville, Utah/Utah Valley University
 
McRae rebounded from an injury earlier in the week to record one of the best offensive performances in program history. After leaving the game with Northwest Nazarene with an ankle injury, McRae netted a hat trick in a 4-1 win over Chaminade. He tied the BYUH record for goals in a game and recorded the program’s first hat trick since 2009.
 
DEFENDER OF THE WEEK
Kevin Mendez (Academy of Art)
GK, Fr., Santa Cruz, Calif./Harbor
 
Mendez continued the stellar start to his collegiate career by winning the MVP award at the Kezar Classic. He posted two shutouts, as ARTU finished its tournament with a 1-0-1 record. He made five saves in each game, posting 208 scoreless minutes.
 
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Ryan Arkelian (Chaminade)
F, Fr., Clovis, Calif./Buchanan
 
Arkelian recorded his first-career goal against BYU-Hawaii. Coming off the bench in the second half, he headed in a deflection off a shot in the 60^th minute.