Somerset, NJ – Wagner College freshman midfielder
Stephen Dwyer has been named the Northeast Conference (NEC) Rookie of the Week for his efforts in Saturday's victory over NJIT, the league office announced today.
In the Seahawks' 14-11 win over the Highlanders, Dwyer contributed a game-high seven points, the highest output by an NEC player during the week, on two goals and a career-high five assists. For Dwyer, who now ranks third on the team in scoring with 16 points (10g, 6a), this marked the third two-goal game of his nine-game Seahawk career.
Against NJIT, the 6-3, 240-pound Dwyer was the ultimate playmaker, particularly early in the game when he had a hand in four of the Seahawks' first five goals, recording two goals and two assists in the game's opening 20 minutes.
With Wagner leading 10-7, the Somerville, NJ native assisted on two consecutive goals during the third quarter that extended the Seahawk lead to 12-7. He then garnered his fifth assist on Wagner's final goal by senior
Spencer Kaufman with 11:49 to play.
For Kaufman, this was his career-high fifth goal of the game, an achievement that earned him #NECPrimePerformer accolades. Senior goalie
Matt Sefcik, who recorded a career-high 22 saves in the victory over NJIT, was also named a #NECPrimerPerformer.
Dwyer's rookie of the week honor marks the first time this season that a Seahawk has earned a weekly award.
Wagner's win over NJIT came in the Seahawks' final non-conference game of the season and improved their record to 2-7. In league play, Wagner is 0-1, having dropped a 13-7 decision at Hobart on March 16.
The Green & White, under the direction of first-year head coach
Bill McCutcheon, will conclude the 2019 regular season with a stretch of five straight NEC contests, beginning with a March 30 home date vs. Bryant. Faceoff between the Seahawks and the Bulldogs is set for 1:00 p.m.
