GREENWOOD – The Lander men’s soccer team swept the Peach Belt Conference weekly awards, the league office announced today. Michael Leach was named PBC Player of the Week, George Knight was tabbed as the PBC Defender of the Week and Dean Cowdroy earned PBC Goalkeeper of the Week honors.
The honors mark the first time in men’s soccer history that Lander has won all three weekly awards. The Bearcats become the first team to sweep the PBC men’s soccer awards since Young Harris in October of 2014.
Leach, a sophomore from Wigan, England, was pivotal in the Bearcats’ rise to the top of the standings with two goals and an assist in two wins last week. Leach pounded home both goals in Lander’s 2-0 win over Flagler on Thursday, his first two goals of the season and the first Lander player to have multiple goals this season. He followed that up with an assist on the opening goal of Lander’s 2-1 overtime win over King on Sunday. Leach is tied for the league lead in points and goals in conference matches.
Knight, a freshman from Basingstoke, England, anchored a Bearcat defense that allowed only one goal in two matches, including a shutout in the conference opener. Knight helped hold Flagler to three shots on goal as the Bearcats picked up their second shutout of the season. He also contributed on offense in the contest with assists on both Lander goals. The Bearcats then held King to a full goal below their season scoring average and to just three shots on goal in the 2-1 win. King did not get a shot attempt in the OT period. Lander is currently second in the PBC with a 1.41 GAA and tied for second with 10 goals allowed.
Cowdroy, a freshman from Canberra, Australia, picked up his second straight weekly honor after playing 184 minutes in two wins last week. Cowdroy made three saves in picking up his second shutout of the season in a 2-0 win over Flagler in the conference opener. He then played all 94 minutes in a 2-1 overtime win against King, making two saves. Cowdroy leads the PBC with two shutouts this year and is second with a 1.41 GAA and fourth in save percentage.
