Todd Pearce, a junior midfielder on the Mount Vernon Nazarene College men's soccer team, has been selected as the NAIA National Soccer Player of the Week for his efforts during the week of August 31-September 6. In addition, he was also named the American Mideast Conference and NAIA Great Lakes Region Player of the Week.
Pearce, a native of South Amherst, Ohio, and a former standout at Open Door Christian School, led MVNC to a 2-0 record for the week. On Tuesday, he scored the game-winning goal in the 55th minute as the Cougars won 2-1 at St. Francis (IN) College.
On Saturday, Pearce broke MVNC's career assists record with three assists in a 4-0 victory over Cornerstone (MI) College. He passed former Cougar standout Hiroto Matsufuji, who recorded 26 assists from 1990 to 1993. Pearce, who set MVNC's single-season assist mark with 13 in 1997, now has 27 career assists.
Pearce is the second Cougar soccer player to be named NAIA National Player of the Week. Former MVNC star Scott Dapprich received the honor during the 1997 season.
The Cougars will return to action on Friday, September 11, when they host Baptist Bible (PA) College in the first round of the 12th annual Pizza Hut Cougar Invitational at 4:00 p.m. Pearce, who was selected as the Most Valuable Offensive Player at last year's tournament, leads the team with three assists and is tied for the team lead with five points.
