BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Houston Christian University's
Hans Leza and
Alex Aitken have been selected with Ohio Valley Conference honors for the span of September 15-21. Leza was chosen as the Defensive Player of the Week, while Aitken was tabbed Co-Goalkeeper of the week.
Leza, a junior defender from Houston, picked up his first accolade of the season after helping a staunch defensive effort by the Huskies that resulted in a 1-0 decision over UTRGV in the only game of the week. Leza played all 90 minutes with several strong clearances, and with 17 minutes remaining, held ground on a strong run down the left side, pushing the ball to the byline and forcing a rushed shot that kept the match tied.
A two-time Defensive Player of the Week last year, Leza has started 44 of HCU's 45 games in his three seasons. He was the only player to start all 20 matches last year and missed just 84 minutes all season. He has played all 90 minutes on 34 occasions in his career, including the last five matches this season.
It is the third honor of the season and sixth overall for Aitken in his career. The Great Barford, England native posted his fourth clean sheet of the season in HCU's road victory at UTRGV for his 16 career shutout, just two shy of tying former keeper and head coach Benny Agosto for the top spot all-time.
Aitken needed just four saves in the match against the Vaqueros, none bigger than the final one of the night as he batted away a free kick from the edge of the box with just under two minutes remaining to preserve the result. The win game him 21 for his career tying Christopher Dodd for the top spot on the all-time leaderboard.
Now 5-2-0 on the season, Aitken has made 26 saves in seven matches and allowed four goals. He is second in the league in shutouts with four and goals against average, one of four keepers in the league with sub-one GAA on the season.
HCU is now 5-2-0 overall on the season, the best non-conference mark since the 2013 team also went 5-2. The Huskies take on long-time rival University of the Incarnate Word on Friday night at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium in San Antonio.
The match with the Cardinals is the midway point of a season-long five-match stretch away from home and will also mark the official start of OVC play, as the other six league members hit the pitch on Saturday. The two schools have met 21 times dating back to 1986, the second most-played series in HCU program history.
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