BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. – The Mountain East Conference has announced this week’s Men’s Soccer Players of the Week. The MEC Player of the Week awards are presented by The Health Plan.

University of Charleston forward/midfielder Joao Belmudes has been named MEC Men’s Offensive Player of the Week for the second time this season while West Liberty back Jasper Newton is the MEC Defensive Player of the Week.

Belmudes, a 5-9 junior from Tubarao, Brazil, helped lead the Golden Eagles to a pair of wins last week. He scored one goal and assisted on another in a 3-0 shutout of Salem (W.Va.) and then banged home both Charleston goals in a 2-1 victory over Concord.

Newton, a 6-1 sophomore from Stockport, England, came up big for a West Liberty defense that allowed just three goals in splitting a pair of matches. The Hilltoppers opened with a tough 2-1 loss to Frostburg State but bounced back impressively with a 5-1 win over Ohio County rival Wheeling. In addition to his defensive efforts, Newton was also credited with three shots on goal for the week.