Novis, Munn shine as EPLWA Players of the Week

BELLINGHAM, WA— The Evergreen Premier League announces that Thiago Novis (Offensive) and Evan Munn (Defensive) are the EPLWA Rock’em Socks Players of the Week for matches played May 22, 2016.  Both will receive a pair of EPLWA Rock’em socks to commemorate the accomplishment of being named Evergreen Premier League Players of the Week.

OFFENSE: Thiago Novis (Bellingham United)

A new name appeared on the scoring sheet for the Hammers last weekend in Wenatchee. Brazilian Thiago Novis (Montana State Billings University Yellowjackets) has joined BUFC with an instant impact. He scored a goal and assisted on the winner as BUFC took a 2-1 away result at the Apple Bowl.

“Thiago made a strong impact when he entered the match as he has great pace and can stretch opponents defenses,” says Hammers head coach Lance Calloway. “He made a great cut inside to drill home our first goal. Thiago showed his vision playing the ball across the face of the goal to an onrushing Nick Cashmere to put us 2-0. Thiago has been a welcome addition to our club.”

Thiago Novis spends plenty of time on the pitch, and in the gym.

“My goal against Wenatchee was a typical goal,” says Thiago. “I like to take players one-v-one and finsih the play myself because I have a good long distance shot. I think that’s the reflection of a lot of work. I work on my dribbling and finishing a lot and it’s very nice to see all the work done on training paying off in game time.”

Novis with MSUB Yellowjackets. (school photo)

He enjoyed setting up Cashmere’s winner. “The assist was good too. We had a counter attack and I received the ball in our half of the field. I sprinted about 20 yards and played a ball across the defense to Nick, who made a good run and finished well.”

Novis coming to Bellingham almost happened last year.

“I spoke to Lance last season but we couldn’t make it happen. My coach from Montana State Billings asked me If I wanted to play for Bellingham and I said yes . Then I started to speak to Lance but unfourtunately we couldn’t make it happen. This year I was speaking to PDL teams and BUFC and Lance showed so much interest in having me here that BUFC ended up being my first choice in front of other great teams.”

DEFENSE: Evan Munn (South Sound FC)

How good was Evan Munn in goal on Sunday? So good that the opposing team (Olympic Force) sent a note to the league in consideration of his nomination for Player of the Week. Turns out Munn had 14 saves, at least 5 of which were stellar and prevented Force goals. The Shock hung on to win the match, 1-0.

Munn now has two shutouts for the Shock this season, tied for tops in the league.

“Evan has really been a key player for our defense this year,” says Shock founder John Crouch. “He’s filling the gloves of our legend, Chris Kintz, and he’s learning a lot very quickly.”

Evan Munn holds the 2016 USASA U23 National Championship trophy won by the Shock last season.

“Evan came up huge making several saves that kept the momentum going our way on Sunday,” says Shock head coach Adam Becker. “He’s stepping up as a vocal leader to our back line like Kintz before him. Evan will help win us games and keep our title hopes alive.”

Munn played indoors in the Western Indoor Soccer League (WISL) with the Oly Town Artesians last winter. He won two Player of the Week nods in that circuit. Now he’s got a pair of socks for the outdoor accomplishment.

Munn played for the Tacoma CC Titans in the NWAC and in the Seattle Sounds youth system. Last year he traveled with South Sound and played as the Shock won the USASA U23 National Championship.

About the Players of the Week honors

The Evergreen Premier League  will be selecting an offensive and defensive Player of the Week each week during the 2016 season. The Players of the Week will be acknowledged with a pair of custom, unique socks featuring the EPLWA logo. The socks are from Rock’Em Apparel, the Official Provider of the weekly reward. The league worked with Rock’Em Apparel to finalize the look of the socks. The league logo is complemented by a rendering of George Washington in the State seal.

The phrase “Rock ‘Em” represents the willingness to achieve greatness; to go above and beyond limits,” says www.RockEmApparel.com.

Evergreen Premier League players will work to do just that for their clubs this season. The best of the best will have cool custom socks to show off around town for their efforts.