ORLANDO, Fla. – After another solid defensive performance, Yanis Leerman of the UCF men's soccer team has been named as the American Athletic Conference's Defensive Player of the Week. Lucca Dourado and Beto Ydrach were named to the honor roll for their efforts in Friday's 2-1 win over SMU.
Leerman has been a huge part of the back line this season. The Knights haven't lost since he missed time with injury, returning at the start of UCF's five match winning streak. His presence is felt throughout the entire team as the Black and Gold have only surrendered two goals over the past five matches. Leerman diffused multiple dangerous opportunities in the win over SMU and has done so in every contest since his return.
This marks the third time a Knight has earned the Defensive Player of the Week this season. Anderson Rosa won the other two earlier this season, tallying an assist in each appearance.
Ydrach and Dourado earned spots on the conference honor roll this week. Ydrach tallied assists on both goals, setting up Dourado on the team's first goal in the 64th minute. The score was Dourado's first of his season and career. Ydrach added the second assist on a long ball over the top to Gino Vivi who put the goal away to seal UCF's comeback victory. Ydrach is the first Knight to earn two assists in a match since Vivi did it in the NCAA Tournament Second Round against Missouri State in 2019.
UP NEXT
The Knights will wrap up their regular season schedule and look to earn their third straight regular season conference title on the road at Memphis on Friday at 8 p.m.
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