Grant Eugea Named SLIAC Offensive Player of the Week

BELLEVILLE, IL -- Sophomore Grant Eugea was named the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Men's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week after scoring three goals and helping the Blackburn College Men's Soccer team to two victories. 

In Wednesday's win at Concordia University Chicago, the sophomore answered an early Cougar goal. In the 23rd minute, Blackburn attacked the net and freshman Abner Portillo took a shot that was deflected by a Cougar defender. Eugea was able to beat the CUC goalkeeper to the ball, putting the ball over the diving keeper into the top right corner for his first goal this season. 

He then followed it less than five minutes later. After a goal kick by CUC, freshman Nathan Soto stole the ball from a CUC player and passed ahead to a streaking Eugea. Eugea let the ball bounce once then booted it over the jumping keeper and placed it right in the top middle of the net to give BC a 2-1 lead. 

His goals helped beat the Cougars 3-1. 

Eugea followed Saturday by scoring the first goal at University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy. In the ninth minute, a free kick in the BC defensive area allowed the team to get the ball upfield, and sophomore Cristian Cazares gathered possession of the ball. As he dribbled the ball upfield, he attracted two UHSP defenders and slipped the ball between the defenders to Eugea for a 1 on 1 against the goalkeeper. Using his left foot, Eugea slipped the ball under the sliding keeper into the bottom right corner of the net to give Blackburn a 1-0 advantage. 

He finished the week with an assist on the game-winner during the 77th minute. Eugea took a corner kick and placed the ball into the box where freshman Abner Portillo beat his defender to the ball and placed the ball into the upper left side of the net for his first of the year. 

Eugea and the Beavers are now 3-1 on the season and host their first home match of the season Wednesday when they host Illinois Wesleyan University.