SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Elon senior forward Chris Thomas has been named the Southern Conference’s men’s soccer player of the week for all matches Sept. 3-9. The selection is made by the league office.

Thomas scored four goals in just two contests last week, helping the Phoenix to wins in both of its matches at the Hyatt Place Select Invitational hosted by Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn.

In Friday’s 3-2 win over Lipscomb, Thomas scored a pair of goals, including the eventual game-winner on a penalty kick in the 82nd minute. He also had a fifth-minute score to stake Elon to the early lead.

The Snellville, Ga., native added two more goals Sunday in a 4-2 win over Belmont. He again got the Phoenix off to a fast start, scoring in the 14th and 28th minutes to put Elon up 2-0 in the early going.

The award is the fourth of Thomas’ career. The SoCon’s active career leader in points (79) and goals (36), Thomas took the honor twice last season and once as a freshman in 2009.

Elon (3-1) returns to action Saturday with a 7 p.m. contest at No. 19 Coastal Carolina in Conway, S.C.

Also nominated: Lee Williams (Appalachian State), Alec Rotunda (Davidson), Martin Ontiveros (Furman), Joe Hughes (Georgia Southern), Hakan Ilhan (UNCG) and Alex Hutchins (Wofford).


2012 SoCon Men’s Soccer Players of the Week
Aug. 28    Maximilian Schulz, UNCG
Sept. 4    Coleton Henning, Furman
Sept. 11    Chris Thomas, Elon
-www.SoConSports.com-