Wayland Baptist sophomore
Federico Ucar has been named Sooner Athletic Conference Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week.
A 5-foot-10 midfielder from Montivdeo, Uruguay, Ucar helped the No. 11 Pioneers post two more shutouts over Oklahoma City on the road (2-0) and Bacone at home (8-0). Ucar and the Pioneers (11-2, 6-1 SAC) have blanked their last five opponents and own 10 shutouts on the season among their 11 wins.
Ucar, who is a team captain, is described as "the heart of our team" by coach
Cristhian Ospina. He and the Pioneers have allowed just one goal in seven Sooner Athletic Conference matches.
As a freshman last year Ucar was named Outstanding Offensive Player of the 2017 NAIA National Championships after scoring three of his seven goals at the tournament, including the golden goal in the second overtime of WBU's 1-0 victory over Missouri Valley in the title match.
Ucar is WBU's second defensive player of the week this season. Goalkeeper
Ziggy Camejo previously earned the honor.
The Pioneers play their final regular-season home match against University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (10-3-2, 4-1-2), ranked the equivalent of 33
rd in the NAIA, at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Â
