Forward Johnny Alcaraz of Westmont was named the Golden State Athletic Conference Player of the Week today for his contributions to the Warriors’ wins over two top-ten teams on Friday and Saturday.

Despite being double teamed most of the game against #7 Oklahoma Baptist, Alcaraz recorded both a goal and an assist in the Warriors’ season opener. The assist came when Alcaraz connected with senior Michael German.

“Johnny got a free kick around the right-hand side,” said German. “We stacked the run on the left side of the box. I made a darting run to the front post and Johnny played a perfect ball right into my head. I threw my body at the ball and dove. It hit off my head and went straight in.”

Alcaraz put the icing on the cake after being fouled just outside the box to earn yet another free kick. Oklahoma Baptist built a wall of defenders between Alcaraz and the goal, but this time the Westmont junior kicked it over their heads and past the keeper, giving the Warriors a 3-1 victory

“I was confident that if I could get the ball over the wall it would go in,” said Alcaraz.

In Saturday’s game against #6 Hastings (Neb.), which the Warriors won 2-0, Alcaraz notched another goal and another assist. In the thirteenth minute of play, Alcaraz took a shot at the net which was deflected by Chris Ludwig, Hastings’ keeper. The ball went up 25 feet in the air before coming down near freshman Shawn Grieco who punched it in the net for his first collegiate goal.

Alcaraz’ goal came in the seventy-fifth minute off a pass from senior Michael Thompson which left the forward with a clear shot of the goal from 15 yards out.

“Johnny produced when it mattered the most for us,” said head coach Dave Wolf, “and that is the sign of an impact player. I don’t think Johnny played as well as he can. That is not a knock against him, just setting the bar high for him. But when the game was in the balance he delivered the telling blows.”

Alcaraz and the Warriors are on the road this week with games at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on Thursday and at Redlands on Saturday. Westmont will next play at home on Friday, September 14 when they will host Graceland of Iowa.