Jenkins Named GNAC Men’s Soccer Rookie of the Week
WINTHROP, Mass. – Mitchell College freshman Jesse Jenkins (Windsor, Conn.) was named Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Rookie of the Week for the sport of men's soccer, as announced by the conference on Monday afternoon.
The first year player started both games at goalkeeper for the Mariners, who posted a 1-0-1 record on the week, both games conference play. Jenkins earned his first collegiate start on the road Tuesday against Elms College, and the freshman delivered a standout performance, tallying five saves on route to the first shutout of his Mitchell career.
His performance at Elms was highlighted by a key penalty save kick late in the first half. Following a foul called against the Mariners, the Blazers were set up with a PK at the top middle of the penalty area. Elms senior Musa Jiana got set and struck the ball with his right foot, sending it towards the right corner of the net. But Jenkins came through in the clutch and dove to punch the ball away, preserving the Mitchell one goal game and his clean sheet.
The keeper followed up his performance by surrendering just one goal in his second collegiate start at Rivier University. The goal got past him in the eigth minute of action, and he was able to shut the Raiders down from that point forward, allowing his squad a chance to claw back and play to a 1-1 draw.
Jenkins becomes the second Mitchell student-athlete this fall to be recognized by the GNAC with a weekly award. He joins junior first-year volleyball player Bliss Brown, who took home Rookie of the Week honors the first week of the season.
The Mariners (1-0-2, 1-0-1 GNAC) return to conference play when they host Albertus Magnus College on Wednesday, September 13, at 4:00 pm.