Irvine, CA — Freshman midfielder Alexander Tombach's game-winning efforts Saturday versus Cal State Stanislaus not only helped the Academy of Art University men's soccer team snap a three-game losing streak, but also earned him PacWest Conference Freshman of the Week honors, as announced by the conference office Monday.
 
Tombach scored the first goal of his career in the 40th minute Saturday against the Warriors to put the Urban Knights up 2-0 despite playing a man down at the time. A concise triangle passing pattern on the attack started with senior midfielder Carlos Hernandez, who passed it to Frederik Nagel at the top of the box. Nagel then sent it over to the right to Tombach, who finished with a strong shot. Tombach's goal would later serve as the game-winner after Cal State Stanislaus earned one back in the 70th minute. The PacWest Conference weekly award is the second for the ART U men's soccer team in three weeks. Junior midfielder Malcolm McLellan earned co-Player of the Week honors on Sept. 8 after his six-point performance in the opening week of Sept. 1-7.

"We're really excited to have the guys earn two awards in three weeks," said Academy of Art men's soccer head coach Mike Keller. "It's really great to see some of the freshmen, especially Alex, earn that recognition this early in the season."
 
The Urban Knights open PacWest Conference play at 11 a.m. Thursday versus Hawaii Pacific at Crocker Amazon Park.