OKLAHOMA CITY – In leading their teams to a pair of victories last week, Oklahoma City's Tommaso Belli was named the offensive player of the week while Mid-America Christian's Dejue Johnson garnered the defensive accolade for the week of Aug. 30-Sept. 5.
Belli is earning his first ever SAC player of the week award while Johnson, the two-time SAC Defensive Player of the Year is collecting his third weekly honor.
Offensive player of the week: Tommaso Belli | F | So. | Rome
Sophomore forward Tommaso Belli scored a pair of goals in each of Oklahoma City's victories last week, defeating York (Neb.) 3-0 on Sept. 2 before topping Randall (Okla.) 6-1 on Sept. 4. In the win against the Panthers, Belli netted his first goal, the game-winner in the 52nd minute to break a scoreless tie to score his second only moments later in the 59th minute. Belli scored his fourth game-winner of the season in the 31st minute before pushing across his second goal of the contest in the 60th minute. The Roman striker is currently tied for first in the NAIA with seven goals scored thus far on the season.
Other nominees: Ricardo Ferreira, Mid-America Christian; James Kerr, Texas Wesleyan; Marco Magnoli, Wayland Baptist; Jesus Sosa, Panhandle State
Defensive player of the week: Dejue Johnson | D | Sr. | Linstead, Jamaica
Senior defender Dejue Johnson helped lead the No. 9 Mid-America Christian men's soccer team to a pair of strong defensive performances in a 5-1 victory over Friends (Kan.) on Aug. 31 before leading MACU to a 2-1 victory in overtime against Tennessee Wesleyan on Sept. 4. In the victory against the Falcons, Johnson helped regroup the defense after they gave up a goal in the 4th minute, limiting Friends to just one more off-target shot over the final 86 minutes to secure the comeback victory. After MACU gave up another go-ahead goal to the Bulldogs just 23:32 in, Johnson guided a MACU defensive backline to hold TWU to a season-low five shots in the 95-minute match.
Other nominees: Hugo Dutour, Panhandle State; Hugh Elliott, Texas Wesleyan; Kade Tomlinson, Wayland Baptist; John Woodhead, Oklahoma City
| 2021 Sooner Athletic Conference Men's Soccer Players of the Week |
| WEEK |
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK |
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK |
| Aug. 30-Sept. 5 |
Tommaso Belli, Oklahoma City |
Dejue Johnson, Mid-America Christian |
| Aug. 23-29 |
Mason Gonzalez, Mid-America Christian |
Santiago Esparza, Southwestern Christian |
| Aug. 16-22 |
Jacob Zamarron, John Brown |
Rodrigo Selingardi, John Brown |