NEW ORLEANS - Appalachian State University men's soccer swept the Sun Belt Weekly awards this week, as freshman forward
Camden Holbrook and senior goalkeeper
Jake Chasteen won the offensive and defensive player of the week awards, respectively, the conference announced on Tuesday.
The pair is recognized by the conference following a 2-0 weekend, defeating Jacksonville in a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory in the season opener on Friday and shutting out North Florida two days later on Sunday, 2-0.
It's the first time App has started 2-0 to the season since the 2012 campaign, while it's the first time since 2015 it collected back-to-back road wins.
"We are very excited to have Jake and Camden get this recognition from the Sun Belt" head coach
Jason O'Keefe said. "They both had stellar weekends and were big pieces of the two tremendous team performances that led to two road victories, which are hard to come by in soccer. We look forward to seeing both players' confidence continue to grow from this as we face VMI on Saturday in the home opener."
Against the Dolphins, Holbrook had a stellar collegiate debut becoming the first Mountaineer since 2009 to net a hat trick with three goals including the game-winning shot in overtime. Holbrook is named offensive athlete of the week for the first time in his career.
The Cary, N.C. followed that performance with a goal and an assist against UNF. His goal in the second period proved to be the game-winner while his assist to fellow freshman
Alex Hernandez for his first-career goal gave the Black and Gold a 2-0 lead and the eventual triumph over the Ospreys.
Through two contests, he finished with a staggering four goals, one assist, equaling nine points. Holbrook leads the league in all three categories, while he is tied for first in the nation in points, goals and game-winning scores.
Chasteen's weekend was highlighted by the 10th clean sheet of his career and the first of the season against the Ospreys on Sunday. Chasteen stopped three shots in the victory, while he earned six saves through both matches with a .95 goals against average and a.750 save percentage. It was his second-career defensive player of the week honor.
The hometown native is second in the conference in goals against average, second in saves and third in save percentage.
Chasteen and Holbrook will look to keep the Mountaineers' strong momentum moving this weekend when it hosts VMI in their home opener on Saturday at 7 p.m. against VMI.
