VILLANOVA, Pa. – Sophomore Yusuf Cueceoglu (Koln, Germany) was selected as Co-Offensive Player of the Week by the Philly Soccer Six on Tuesday. On Monday, Cueceoglu was part of the BIG EAST Honor Roll.
Cueceoglu scored two goals to help lift the Wildcats to a 3-2 Philly Soccer Six win last week at the Higgins Soccer Complex over La Salle. The midfielder ranks second to senior Zach Zandi in points on the 'Cats with four goals this season, all scored at the Higgins Soccer Complex.
Villanova jumps back into action on Wednesday night with another rivalry game. This Soccer Six clash takes place at Temple University. The Owls enter this one with a 3-4-1 overall record while VU brings a 5-3 overall mark (0-2 BIG EAST) with it into this contest.
"Soccer Six matches are always tough, physical battles and we know what we're in for against a good Temple team," stated Villanova head coach Tom Carlin.
The Wildcats staged a fierce BIG EAST match Saturday against nationally ranked Creighton before falling 1-0. The Bluejays nudged a ball over the goal line in the 69th minute after a scramble near the left post.
"I thought we played well," stated Carlin. "We just needed to find a way to score a goal."
This could be an important week for the Wildcats, who recorded some key early wins over William & Mary, Loyola and Penn State that should hold up well when the RPI numbers are calculated down the road. A road win at Temple would be another long range boost ahead of a Saturday BIG EAST meeting with DePaul at the Higgins Soccer Complex (1 p.m.).
The Owls defeated UCF 1-0 in their most recent action.
Villanova owns one road victory this season, a 1-0 triumph on opening night at Delaware. It has since dropped road decisions at Clemson (2-0) and Marquette (3-0). It hopes to generate some offensive firepower after being shut out in its last two contests played away from home while maintaining the defensive poise that has played an important role in its strong start to 2018.
Kickoff for Wednesday's match is 7 p.m. at the Temple Sports Complex. Admission is free.
