OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – In the history of the Johnson County Community College mem's soccer program, there have been five Cavaliers selected as the NJCAA Player of the Week, and nine times as NJCAA Goalkeeper of the Week, but never have they had the player and goalkeeper honored in the same week until now.
Johnson County swept the final week of the season as sophomore forward Alan Lopez and sophomore goalkeeper Cole Stewart were honored as the top players in men's NJCAA Division I soccer. They were also selected as the Kansas Jayhawk Conference player and keeper of the week.
Stewart also made team history by becoming the first player to be honored as NJCAA Goalkeeper of the Week three time in a single season. He was also honored from Aug 29-Sept. 6 and Sept. 21-27.
Last week Lopez netted three goals last week, two which were game winners, to lead JCCC to a pair of victories. Lopez opened the week with a game winning goal in a 2-1 win at No. 5 Barton which clinched a tie for the Kansas Jayhawk Conference East Division title for the Cavaliers, their sixth all-time. He capped the week scoring both goals in a 2-1 win over Dodge City to punch JCCC's ticket to the semifinals of the Plains District Tournament. Lopez currently leads the conference in total points with 33.
Stewart stopped 10 of the 11 shots he faced to help preserve a 2-1 victory over Dodge City in the first round of the Plains District Tournament. Stewart currently ranks 5th in the KJCCC in GAA (1.18), 5th in saves (51) and 4th in save percentage (.836).
Past National Players of the Week (5)
2008 – Michael Shadfar
2013 – Jorge Rivero
2014 – Trae Hunjak
2016 – Edgar Valiente
2022 – Alan Lopez
Past National Goalkeepers of the Week (9)
2009 – Mark Saxby
2012 – Guillermo Aguilar
2016 – Caleb Cothrin
2019 – Pedro Ivaskowski (2 times)
2022 – Cole Stewart (3 times)
2022 – Brandon McGaugh