Cukaj, Alba Earn BIG EAST Weekly Honors
10/16/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Official BIG EAST Release
NEW YORK - Marquette University defender Manuel Cukaj was named BIG EAST Conference Freshman of the Week, while sophomore forward Connor Alba landed on the weekly honor roll, following the team's thrilling double-overtime win at St. John's, the league office announced on Monday.
This is Cukaj's first career weekly honor and the first freshman of the week accolade by a Golden Eagle since Luka Prpa claimed the honor three times last season. The Mannheim, Germany, native returned from injury after missing five games and proved essential in helping a backline register their first clean sheet of the season, while holding St. John's to just three shots on goal in the 1-0 double-overtime win on Saturday.
Alba hauls in weekly honor roll mention after scoring the game-winner with just 26 seconds remaining in the second overtime session. The goal was his first of the season and fifth for his career. It came on a great build-up as senior Brody Kraussel sprinted down the sideline and sent a cross to the middle of the box, which was flicked on by Jason Davis, and volleyed in by Alba at the near post.
The King of Queens... For a night! Alba makes up for hitting the bar earlier in the game and sends the Golden Eagles home winners over St. John's! #MarquetteSoccer #BEfÃÆ'Æ'ºtbol pic.twitter.com/oioIwkTMaV
- Marquette Soccer (@marquettesoccer) October 15, 2017
The Waukesha, Wisconsin, native finished with a match-best three shots, including two on target and one that ricocheted off the crossbar in the 78th minute.
The win vaulted Marquette from a tie for seventh place into a tie for third and very much in BIG EAST tournament contention.
The Golden Eagles have four games remaining, beginning with Xavier on the road Saturday, Oct. 21, followed by the final two regular season home games at Valley Fields against Creighton (Oct. 25) and Butler (Oct. 28).
Keep up with the Marquette men's soccer program through social media by following on Twitter (@MarquetteSoccer) and Instagram (@MarquetteSoccer) and `liking' on Facebook (/MarquetteSoccer).
