(BIG TEN) – Wisconsin’s Ellis Jones who helped carry the Badgers to a 1-0 win over No. 10 UCLA has been named the Big Ten’s defensive player of the week.
Offensive Player of the Week
Francesco DiPonzio, Rutgers
Sr. – MF – Oakland, N.J. – Indiana Hills
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Score the lone goal in Rutgers’ 1-0 upset win over No. 2 Indiana
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73rd minute marker secured Rutgers’ second victory over a top three opponent this season and the highest-ranked win under head coach Jim McElderry
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Claims first Offensive Player of the Week honor
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Last Rutgers Offensive Player of the Week: Joschi Schelb (Sept. 2, 2025)
Defensive Player of the Week
Ellis Jones, Wisconsin
Sr. – D – Wednesbury, England – Oklahoma Christian
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Scored the game-winning goal in the Badgers’ 1-0 win over No. 10 UCLA
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Captained the Wisconsin backline for all 90 minutes, surrendering just one open play goal
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Earns his first Defensive Player of the Week accolade
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Last Wisconsin Defensive Player of the Week: Ryan Quintos (Oct. 29, 2024)
Goalkeeper of the Week
Rafael Ponce de Leon, Rutgers
Grad. – Pennington, N.J. – Pennington School
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Recorded one save, as Rutgers earned a 1-0 win over No. 2 Indiana
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Made a close-range stop in the 32nd minute to keep the match scoreless and eventually record the teams fourth shoutout of the season and his second clean sheet this year
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Nabs his second career Goalkeeper of the Week award and first of the season
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Last Rutgers Goalkeeper of the Week: Ciaran Dalton (Sept. 16, 2025)
Freshman of the Week
Josue Pfrommer, Northwestern
D – Joliet, Ill. – EdOptions Online Academy
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Helped the Wildcats earn a 1-1 draw against Penn State, despite playing a man down for nearly 80 minutes
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Saw 90 minutes of action in a scoreless draw against No. 10 UCLA, the first time the Bruins have been held scoreless all season
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Earns his first Freshman of the Week award
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Last Northwestern Freshman of the Week: Aaron O’Reilly (Nov. 4, 2025)
