MIAMI (Sept. 5, 2022) – Stephen Afrifa and Kevin Harr of the FIU men's soccer team have been named the American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week and Goalkeeper of the Week, respectively, as announced by the league office on Monday afternoon.
Afrifa and Harr garnered the accolades after the Panthers' two impressive wins last week over No. 13 UNC (2-1) and No. 25 St. John's (1-0). Centerback David Garcia also earned a spot on the league's Weekly Honor Roll from the conference for his standout defensive performance.
Afrifa started both contests and led all FIU attacking players with a combined 167 minutes played, while scoring the go-ahead and game-winner against UNC. Afrifa's first goal against UNC came off a Panther run in the 24th minute, when Afrifa fielded a cross into the box from Yushi Nagao and finished past the keeper with a strike to the right post. Afrifa put the Panthers up by a score of 2-0 later in the 62nd minute with a play worthy of a Sportscenter Top 10 spot.
Freshman goalkeeper Kevin Harr started both contests in FIU's two road wins and hauled in nine total saves on 27 shots faced to go along with combined .900 save percentage. Harr had a breakout performance against No. 25 St. John's, helping the Panthers post their first clean sheet of the season while collecting six highlight-reel worthy saves on 14 shots faced. Against UNC, Harr collected three saves in the opening period to keep the Tar Heels off the board before halftime. Harr logged a .750 save percentage in the 2-1 victory over the Tar Heels.
Garcia was critical on the defensive end in FIU's two wins, playing a full 180 minutes in both contests combined and helping FIU post a clean sheet against St. John's. Against UNC, Garcia helped create FIU's first goal opportunity with a brilliant header at midfield that sparked FIU's scoring run. Against both UNC and St. John's, Garcia provided several key defensive blocks and clears on set pieces to prevent scoring opportunities.
UP NEXT
The Panthers are welcomed back at FIU Soccer Stadium this Tuesday, Sept. 6, for an exciting matchup against in-state foe UNF. First kick against the Ospreys is set for 7 p.m. ET.
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