Pena named RRAC Offensive Player of the Week
WACO – On Monday, the Red River Athletic Conference announced UHV's Yahir Pena as its Offensive Player of the Week for the week of Oct. 16-22.
Pena, of Pharr, scored two goals, both game-winners, in wins over Xavier (La.) and North American University.
The freshman forward is the third UHV men's soccer player to be recognized with a weekly award, joining Einar Rolfsen and Tyler Kaeppeli as an honoree.
"First of all, I thank God and my teammates because, without them, this would not be possible," Pena said. "It's an honor to be Player of the Week, and this shows the hard work we have done."
Pena scored the decisive goal of the Jaguars (10-3-1, 8-3-0) 2-1 win over Xavier in the 77th minute. He scored UHV's opening goal against North American in the 19th minute of a 4-0 win.
With the two goals, Pena took the team lead in goals with seven, and points with 14. His mark in goals ranks eighth in the RRAC.
The freshman has had a stellar debut season with the Jaguars. On Sept. 14, Pena scored four goals in a 7-0 rout of Texas College to set UHV's new single-game scoring record.
"Yahir has been a great team player for us this year and is deserving of this recognition," said head coach Adrian Rigby. "He's stepped up in a number of roles this year for us. Last week, his preparation put him in the right place to help the team pick up two big wins."
The Jaguars head to Our Lady of the Lake on Thursday before returning home Saturday to face Texas A&M-San Antonio at 3:30 p.m.