WALTHAM, Mass. – For his efforts in a milestone week, Brandeis University senior midfielder Jake Picard of Suffield, Conn., has been selected as the University Athletic Association (UAA) men's soccer Offensive Player of the Week for Sept. 14.
Picard scored two goals last week, both of which were game-winners in 1-0 contests. On Sept. 11, Picard scored in the 50th minute off an assist from sophomore Patrick Flahive (Chatham, Ill. / Worcester Acad.) as the Judges defeated Clark University.
The next night against Babson, in the most-played rivalry in Brandeis men's soccer history, Picard scored the game-winner with less than three minutes remaining in the second overtime period off a Josh Ocel (No. Attleboro, Mass./No. Attleboro) free kick. With his first two goals of the season, Picard now has eight for his career, four of which have been game-winners. By beating Babson, Picard and his fellow seniors became the first class in school history to defeat the Beavers all four years.
The two victories were numbers 499 and 500 in the career of head coach Michael Coven, who is now in his 43rd year with the Judges. Coven became the 11th NCAA men's soccer coach and sixth from Division III to reach the 500-win plateau. His record now stands at 500-258-52.
The Brandeis men were ranked No. 7 nationally in Division III in the preseason by the National Soccer Coaches Association of American and No. 18 by D3soccer.com in their first regular-season poll. With a 5-1 record, the Judges return to action on Wednesday against 5-0-1 WPI at 7 p.m.
Picard is a 2012 graduate of Suffield High School.