It didn’t take long for Cole Rainwater (Schererville, Ind. / Lake Central) to earn the first honor of his career, as the Valparaiso University men’s soccer freshman was named Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week on Tuesday.  

Rainwater turned in a hat trick in the first home fixture of his collegiate career, scoring in the 23rd, 53rd and 86th minutes of an 8-2 victory over IU Northwest on Monday. His final goal came on a penalty kick to complete the feat. It was the 10th hat trick in program history and the third in the last four years. 

Rainwater added an assist to his three-goal effort, making it a seven-point night for the rookie. He matched a program record for points in a single match, becoming just the fifth player in Valpo history to accrue seven. He was the first player to do so since Paul Leitelt on Aug. 27, 2006 vs. Evansville. Rainwater struck seven shots in Monday’s match, placing six on goal. 

Valpo will be back in action on Friday at 7 p.m. for a match with UIC at Flames Field.