Morris Named Atlantic 10 Men's Soccer Co-Player of the Week

AMHERST, Mass. - After netting a hat trick against Rhode Island and helping shutout Saint Louis, UMass senior forward Mark Morris was named the Atlantic 10 Co-Player of the Week as announced by the league on Monday. Morris shared the honor with Fordham's Jannik Loebe who scored three goals in two wins for the Rams.

The 1-0-1 week for the men's soccer team keeps the Minutemen in the top half of the Atlantic 10 standings after two weeks of league play. With four points, UMass currently ranks fifth in the standings. The Minutemen will head to St. Bonaventure (1-11-1, 0-2-0 A-10) on Saturday night for their lone match of the week.

Morris' efforts last Wednesday helped UMass to a 3-2 win over rival Rhode Island as he scored all three goals for the Minutemen including the game-winner in the 90th minute of play. His was the first hat trick by a UMass player since 2002 and just the 31st hat trick in program history dating back to 1930.

In Sunday's draw against the Billikens, Morris played 105 of 110 possible minutes. Though he was held scoreless, he did crack a pair of shots and was key in UMass' defense down the stretch.

The effort improved UMass to 2-10-1 overall and 1-1-1 in Atlantic 10 play.