Four Mariners Earn NECC Weekly Honors

ATTLEBORO, Mass. - Four Mitchell College student-athletes were honored by the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) on Monday with weekly accolades.

Junior Jaime Serrano and freshman Matt Grandy were named NECC Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week, respectively, for the sport of men's soccer. Sophomore Nikki Hoxie was tabbed NECC Player of the Week for the sport of women's soccer, and freshman Vernon Wilson was selected as NECC Rookie of the Week in men's cross country.

Serrano led the Mariners to a 2-0 undefeated week. The forward scored the game-winning goal in a 2-0 shutout of Emmanuel College and then doubled his efforts against NECC opponent Elms College, netting both goals in a 2-0 victory. For the week, he tallied six points and a pair of game-winning goals. Serrano has played in all 10 games this season while making eight starts, and he ranks second on the team in scoring with five goals and one assist for 11 points.

Grandy, a freshman defender, led the back line efforts for the Mariners during the pair of shutout victories. He helped his team to 2-0 victories over Emmanuel and Elms, bolstering a defense that allowed only 13 shots on goal for the week. He has played in all 10 games this season while making six starts.

Hoxie led the women's soccer team to its second NECC victory, netting the game-winning goal just 33 seconds into overtime in a 3-2 win at Wheelock College. Prior to the game winner, Hoxie assisted on the game-tying goal in the 71st minute. For the week, she tallied three points. Following Monday's win over Newbury College, she leads the team in scoring with 10 goals and three assists for 23 points.

Wilson garnered rookie honors for the second straight week. He finished eighth at the Mitchell College Race with a time of 19:47.6, a season-best time for a 5k course. Wilson's efforts helped his team to a second place finish at the event.