FRISCO, Texas (Oct. 26, 2016) – Four former North Texas Soccer players received NCAA Division I Conference Player of the Week accolades as Marchelle Davis (University of North Texas), Ashley Smith (Central Arkansas), Jordan Cano (Southern Methodist) and Martin Melchor (Coastal Carolina) all were top performers last week.
Davis was named the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week after netting game-winners against UNC Charlotte and Old Dominion. The goal against Charlotte broke a three-game shutout streak for the 49ers. Davis has played in every game for the Mean Green this season and is second on the team in goals and tied for first in assists with fellow North Texas Soccer alum, Rachel Holden. Davis is a native of Trophy Club, Texas and played for Dallas Texans.
Smith was named Co-Offensive Player of the Week in the Southland Conference after her performance for Central Arkansas. The midfielder from Plano, Texas recorded two goals and an assist against Southeastern Louisiana and Nicholls to propel the Bears to the regular season title. Smith has appeared in all 18 matches for Central Arkansas and is second on the team in goals, assists and points. The sophomore played her youth days for Sting and the Dallas Texans. Smith won the US Youth Soccer North Texas State Cup title in 2012 with Sting 97 before going on to claim the 2012 US Youth Soccer Region III Championship and place fifth at the 2016 US Youth Soccer National Championships.
Cano was tabbed the American Athletic Conference (AAC) Defensive Player of the Week after scoring the game-winner in a 1-0 win over Cincinnati. The win marked the second straight shutout for Cano and the rest of SMU’s back line. The junior from Frisco, Texas was named to the AAC All-Rookie team in 2014 before making the AAC second-team in 2015. Cano has played in all 14 games for the Mustangs, including 13 starts, and is second on the team in minutes played. Cano has played for Solar, Andromeda and FC Dallas before SMU. Cano reached the quarterfinals of the 2009 North Texas State Cup with Andromeda and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Under-17 age group at the 2013 Dr Pepper Dallas Cup.
Melchor earned the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week accolade after recording three assists in two wins for Coastal Carolina. Melchor now leads his team with four goals and four assists. The Jacksonville, Texas native scored game-winners in the first-round of the NCAA Tournament in both his freshman and sophomore campaigns. Melchor played his youth soccer for Jacksonville Flash and FC Dallas. The junior midfielder is a former North Texas Soccer and US Youth Soccer Region III Olympic Development Program (ODP) player and reached the semifinals of the 2015 Region III Championships after reaching the finals of the North Texas State Cup with FC Dallas.
Previous North Texas Soccer Players of the Week