MIAC Soccer Athletes-of-the-Week

http://miac-online.org/news/2011/10/25/MSOC_1025114421.aspx

MIAC Men's Soccer Athlete-of-the-Week

Mike Hutton, St. Thomas
Burnsville, Minn. / Apple Valley

St. Thomas stayed in contention for a spot in the 2011 MIAC Men's Soccer Playoffs with a big win over rival Saint John's, and a draw against nationally-ranked Gustavus last week. Leading the charge in both big performances was senior forward Mike Hutton (Burnsville, Minn./Apple Valley). Hutton had a pair of assists in the win over the Johnnies and the Tommies' lone goal in the tie with the Gusties. For his performance, Hutton has been named the MIAC Men's Soccer Athlete-of-the-Week.

Wednesday, Hutton's two assists set up goals that ended up being the difference in UST's 4-2 win over SJU. With the win, Hutton helped St. Thomas go 4-0 against Saint John's in his career. He came up big again on Saturday with the game's first goal, which look like it might stand up to give the Tommies and upset over Gustavus. However, the Gusties scored on a 76th-minute penalty kick and neither team could manage a goal the rest of the way in the 1-1 2OT tie. This season, Hutton is tied for seventh in the MIAC with seven goals, and his 18 points rank eighth in the conference. In his career, Hutton has 34 goals and 84 points, and St. Thomas is 22-5-2 when he scores a goal.

The Tommies used their 1-0-1 week to improve to 7-5-1 overall and 4-3-1 in the MIAC with 13 points in the conference standings. They currently sit sixth, two spots out of the playoffs, but a slim chance to still make the postseason field. UST wraps up the regular season this week with a 3:30 p.m. Tuesday game against conference-champion hopeful Carleton at home, and Saturday it ends its campaign with a 3:30 p.m. road contest at Bethel.

MIAC Women's Soccer Athlete-of-the-Week

Meghan McMillan, Gustavus
Minneapolis, Minn./Holy Angels

Gustavus senior Meghan McMillan (Minneapolis, Minn./Holy Angels) scored the only goal in the Gusties’ 1-0 upset win over St. Thomas last week. McMillan weaved through the middle of Tommie defense and found the lower-left corner of the net at the 49:35 mark, notching her first goal of the season, and giving her team a signature win for the 2011 season. For her clutch performance, McMillan has been named the MIAC Women's Soccer Athlete-of-the-Week.

McMillan’s goal was made even more special due to the fact that it was Senior Day at Gustavus and she is the only senior on the Gustie roster. The goal wound up being the game-winner and helped Gustavus end a four-game losing streak against St. Thomas and record its first win against the Tommies in St. Peter since 1997. This season, McMillan leads the Gustavus offense with eight shots on goal, and her 24 shots are the second-most on the squad.

Gustavus used the win to improve to 4-11 overall and 2-7 in the MIAC last week, and it climbed above both Saint Mary's and St. Catherine in the standings. The Gusties’ 2011 campaign will come to an end next week with two conference match-ups on the road in St. Paul. Gustavus will travel to St. Catherine University on Wednesday for a 3:30 p.m. game and the season finale will be against Macalester next Saturday at 1 p.m.

Courtesy of MIAC