By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Toledo, Ohio---Matt Almester (St. John's Jesuit/Rossford, Ohio), a sophomore forward for the Owens Community College men's soccer team, has won National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I player of the week honors.

Almester produced two hat tricks last week while leading Owens to three victories. In a 6-0 win over Lakeland Community College last Wednesday, he had three goals and one assist. On Saturday, he scored the game-winning goal in double overtime to give his team a 1-0 win over Monroe Community College. Then, he added his second hat trick against Mercyhurst North East Community College on Sunday in an 11-1 win.

Almester has totaled 19 goals and four assists this year. Furthermore, he pushed his career goal total to 37, which helped him pass Rodcliff Hall (35) for fourth place on the program's career goals scored list. 

Almester has now scored at least one goal in his past seven games played. His two hat tricks increased his season total to three in that category.

Owens is 11-7 overall. They have won a program record tying seven straight matches heading into today's 4 p.m. road match against No. 10 Schoolcraft College.

Notes

Almester is the third Owens student-athlete to earn national honors this fall. Chelsie Randolph (Start/Toledo, Ohio) was named the NJCAA Division I women's soccer goalkeeper of the week on Sept. 16, while Macy Reigelsperger (Coldwater/Coldwater, Ohio) was named the NJCAA Division II women's volleyball player of the week on Sept. 2.