Monday, August 28, 2006

After one of the most impressive weekends in school history, Paul Leitelt (Munster, Ind./Munster) has been named the Mid-Continent Conference's Offensive Player of the Week and was placed on the College Soccer News National Team of the Week.

The sophomore midfielder assisted on the match-winning goal in Valpo's season-opening win Friday over DePaul, and added a goal of his own later in the match. Sunday, Leitelt delivered a breathtaking performance with three goals, including the equalizer in the 89th minute, and then assisted on the match-winner in overtime.

His Sunday hat-trick was the first by a Crusader in 11 seasons, and his four goals match his season total of a year ago, and he has eclipsed his assist and point totals from his rookie season. Leitelt not only leads the Mid-Con in goals and points, he scored more goals over the weekend than any other league team.

Leitelt is the first Crusader to earn Mid-Con Offensive Player of the Week honors since Jon Brighton (Warner Robins, Ga./Houston County) picked up the honor in 2004. Leitelt's eight career goals are tied with D.J. Catrow (Springfield, Ohio/Catholic Central) for second on the team behind Brighton's total of 10.

The College Soccer News (online at www.collegesoccernews.com) selects 11 players from across the country each week to named to the National Team of the Week. Leitelt is the first Crusaders to ever earn this distinction.

Valpo (2-0) will head to California this weekend looking for their first 4-0 start in school history. The 1987 team, the last to start 2-0, began that season with three straight wins.

Saturday, Leitelt and the Crusaders will open the Copa de Causeway Tournament against UC-Davis at 7:00 p.m. The tournament concludes Monday when the Brown and Gold visit Sacramento State at 2:00 p.m.