NEC Player of the Week: Ryan Kipness, NHVN
NEC Rookie of the Week: David Ivascu, FDU
Previous NEC Releases: NEC Preseason Poll

NEC MEN'S SOCCER PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Ryan Kipness, Gr., F, New Haven
Stamford, CT/Westhill (Columbia)
Kipness delivered an absolute rocket from outside the 18-yard box on Thursday night to make history in New Haven’s first game as a Division I program. The Chargers found themselves locked in a 1-1 stalemate on the road against Monmouth until Andres Lazo sent Kipness a great lead ball up the right sideline. The graduate forward cut back to the middle and fired the ball past the Hawks’ keeper into the top left corner for the game-winner in the 61st minute. New Haven’s first victory as a DI squad came against a Monmouth squad that was picked to finish second in the CAA preseason poll. Kipness finished the game with two shots on goal and three chances total. The Stamford, CT native became the first weekly award winner for the Chargers since joining the NEC. 

NEC MEN'S SOCCER ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
David Ivascu, Fr., F, FDU
Ontario, Canada/St. Elizabeth Catholic
In the Knights’ 1-0 win over NJIT on Sunday, the freshman forward found the back of the net off an impressive no-look pass from Arnau Rabassa Guillamon with just under three minutes to play to secure the victory. The Ontario native made his first career appearance in the match and played just five minutes but ultimately was the deciding factor on the pitch. It marked the Knights’ first win of the 2025 season as they completed a 1-0-1 opening weekend, adding a 1-1 draw against UAlbany on Thursday night. 

NEC PRIME PERFORMERS

Matheus Franca, Jr., GK, FDU
Making his first two collegiate starts, Franca made six saves while allowing just one score to finish the week with a 0.50 GAA and .857 save percentage. He recorded his first career shutout in FDU's 1-0 win over NJIT. 

David Ivascu, Fr., F, FDU
Tabbed NEC Rookie of the Week

Tal Levy, So., F, LIU
Netted the game-winning goal in the 82nd minute to lift LIU to a 1-0 win at UMass Lowell on Sunday. Added a shot in the Sharks' 1-1 draw at Bryant. 

Andrew Marotta, R-Fr., GK, LIU
Stopped five shots and allowed one goal in two starts for LIU as the Sharks' went unbeaten over the weekend. He compiled a .833 save percentage and 0.50 GAA while posting a shutout in a 1-0 triumph against UMass Lowell.

Ryan Kipness, Gr., F, NHVN
Selected NEC Player of the Week

Lukian Lawro, Jr., F, NHVN
Scored New Haven's first goal at the DI level in the 42nd minute of the Chargers' signature triumph at Monmouth. 

2025 NEC MEN'S SOCCER WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS

NEC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Aug. 25: Ryan Kipness, NHVN

NEC ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Aug. 25: David Ivascu, FDU