A freshman announcing himself as a must-see prospect is the latest player of the week. 

MORE: Men’s Division I Scoreboard

Virginia freshman Nicholas Simmonds stole the show in one of the best individual performances of the season to defeat Clemson in a top ten clash of two teams with legitimate College Cup aspirations. His first goal came on an absurd long-range rocket, the second on a clever solo effort, and the third demonstrated intelligent off-ball movement to create space at the back post. In between that, he notched an assist from his stellar hold-up play. With that performance to lead a 4-0 rout, the hometown star became the first Cavalier freshman since 2012 to record a hat trick.

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Player of the Week: Nicholas Simmonds, Virginia

Men’s Team of the Week: October 20-October 26

GK: Jackson Ozburn, Santa Clara - Five saves, including a penalty stop, sparked the Broncos' 1-0 upset of No. 1 Portland, handing the Pilots their first loss.

D: Frederik Sadjak, Princeton - The freshman looked like a veteran as he played all 180 minutes in two clean sheet results, first 0-0 versus No. 1 Bryant, then 4-0 over Yale. 

D: Joaquin Torres, Cal Poly - Torres was impressive in two clean sheet wins, scoring the lone goal in a 1-0 victory over UC Riverside, then playing 79 minutes in a 2-0 win against CSUN.

D: Riley Moloney, NC State – Moloney anchored the defense with a full 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw against No. 18 UNC Greensboro and provided a key assist as the Wolfpack, despite being down to nine players due to two red cards, secured a 2-0 upset over No. 15 Duke.

M: Kevin Larsson, Kentucky - With a brace to beat No. 17 Georgia Southern and an assist to upset No. 13 West Virginia, Larsson was a match-winner.

M: Nick Washington, Central Connecticut - Washington’s dramatic game-winner with ten seconds left secured a 1-0 win over Chicago State, marking Central Connecticut State's first victory of the year. 

M: Angel Iniguez, San Jose State - With both goals in a 2-2 draw with San Diego State, then another strike in a 3-1 win over UNLV, Iniguez added to his stellar senior season.

M: Loed Klaasen, Coastal Carolina - The senior managed a hat trick of assists in a 3-1 win over Georgia State, then scored a goal in a 3-1 victory over South Carolina to lead the Chanticleers to two wins.

F: Nicholas Simmonds, Virginia - The freshman star scored a hat trick and an assist to lead a 4-0 win over ACC rivals No. 10 Clemson. 

F: Daniel Burko, Hofstra - Burko had three goals and two assists in wins against Fordham and Monmouth.

F: Philipp Kuhn, Vermont - Kuhn’s two first-half strikes toppled No. 1 Bryant, snapping their unbeaten run in a 2-1 statement win.

Honorable Mention: GK Matheus Rhormens (Queens (N.C.)), D Owen Travis (Florida International), D Leandro Haesler (Lindenwood), D Ignatius Demark (FGCU), M Ulises Grado (Cal State Fullerton), M Zach Ramsey (Washington), M Omar Ramadan (Creighton), M Niklas Kneller (Niagara), F Lilian Ricol (UCF), F Sergi Solans (UCLA), F Declan Quill (Virginia Tech)

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