Week one is in the books and league coaches and operators have honored two players with their Player Of The Week award: one newcomer that contributed to a mighty upset and another that fans of the Evergreen Premier League surely know.
OFFENSIVE: One way to get your first EPLWA victory is to debut with the league’s all-time leading scorer and have him score twice and assist on two other goals. PacNW SC’s Tyler Bjork entered the game with 57 EPLWA goals (regular season + playoffs) and now is just one goal away from 60 for his career. Bjork moved on to PacNW after three seasons with the Seattle Stars and two years with Bellingham United and immediately makes PacNW a contender in their first season. This is his sixth POTW award.
DEFENSIVE: The Spokane Shadow traveled west for week one and faced a tough test in their opening game, but their defense was up to the task and shutout the league’s reigning champs, Washington Premier, behind the strong play of goalkeeper Peter Byrne. Byrne, who just wrapped up his sophomore season at Fort Lewis College, was also in goal for their 1-1 draw at the Vancouver Victory the next day and has the Shadow on top of the Rainier Conference after week one.
Other nominees:
Offensive: Michael Rojas – Spokane Shadow
Defensive: Mumbi Kwesele – PacNW SC
Photos from the Seattle Stars and Fort Lewis College Athletics
Evergreen Premier League 