Indiana University Athletics
Nguyen Named IU Athlete of the Week
11/1/2005 12:00:00 AM | General
Nov. 1, 2005
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - On a weekly basis, IUHOOSIERS.com will recognize the top performances in Hoosier Athletics by selecting an IU Athlete of the Week. For the week ending Oct. 30, freshman men's soccer player Lee Nguyen garnered the distinction.
Nguyen notched the game-winner against Notre Dame on Oct. 26. He followed that by spearheading the first three-goal comeback in school history against Maryland on Oct. 29. In the process, Nguyen was named College Soccer News National Player of the Week and Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week. It marked the second time this season he had earned the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week accolade. He also became the first Hoosier since Ned Grabavoy on Oct. 13, 2003, to be named College Soccer News National Player of the Week.
"Lee is a special player that brings creativity and flair to our team," Indiana head coach Mike Freitag said. "He continues to develop and get better in areas where he needed improvement. He has been outstanding for us all year. Against Maryland, Lee was the catalyst of our comeback. He was able to take people on and create scoring chances that got us back into the game."
Against Notre Dame, Nguyen bent in a beautiful free kick from 25 yards out for the game-winner. After senior midfielder Brian Plotkin drew the foul to set up the play, Nguyen sent the shot from the left side into the upper right corner, leaving 6-6 Irish goalkeeper Chris Cahill with no chance to stop it. It was Nguyen's second game-winner of the season and fifth goal during his rookie campaign.
In College Park, Md., Nguyen led the Hoosiers to one of the most improbable of comebacks, as IU scored three goals in the final 17 minutes to forge a 3-3 tie with the third-ranked Terrapins. He had two official assists, but had a hand in all three Hoosier tallies.
With precious seconds coming off the clock, it looked as though the Indiana comeback attempt would fall painstakingly short. Nguyen sent a corner kick to the far side of the six-yard box where sophomore back Greg Stevning headed home the equalizer with just five second remaining.
With his pair of assists against Maryland, Nguyen has 10 on the season. His assist total is just one short of tying the Hoosier freshman record. The record of 11 is held by current Hoosier assistant coach Todd Yeagley set during the 1991 season.
Nguyen earned the IU Athlete of the Week honor from a list of deserving nominees. The list of nominees included sophomore Christina Loukas (women's swimming and diving), senior Sergiy Fesenko (men's swimming and diving), senior Sean Jefferson (men's cross country), junior Jessica Gall (women's cross country), Novice 8 C shell (rowing), senior Kristen Zmijewski (women's soccer) and sophomore Frederique Meeuwsen (field hockey).
Hoosier Honor Roll
Senior Sean Jefferson (men's cross country) - finished fifth at the Big Ten Championships, leading IU to a sixth-place finish as a team.
Junior Jessica Gall (women's cross country) - finished ninth overall at the Big Ten Championships, leading the Hoosiers to a fourth-place showing as a squad.
Novice 8 C shell - the Novice 8 C powered to a gold medal as the only crew in the event to post a sub-18 minute time
Sophomore forward Frederique Meeuwsen (field hockey) - scored three goals on the weekend, including a pair in the Hoosiers' 4-0 victory over Miami (Ohio).
Senior midfielder Kristen Zmijewski (women's soccer) - scored the equalizer in the second half against then-No. 24 Purdue, propelling the Hoosiers to a spot in the Big Ten Tournament.
Sophomore diver Christina Loukas (women's swimming and diving) - swept the diving events in a 177.5-122.5 victory over No. 23 Minnesota, had a school-record 335.55 to win the one-meter crown.
Senior Sergiy Fesenko (men's swimming and diving) - won three events (500-yard freestyle, 1000-yard freestyle and the 200-yard butterfly) against Minnesota, including swimming the sixth-fastest time of 9:09.14 in school history in the 1,000-yard freestyle.
