Aidan Apodaca, senior biology major and forward, has been collecting honors from the PacWest Conference and been a leading contributor for the men’s soccer team at California Baptist University.
Apodaca was named the PacWest Conference Player of the Week along with Abe Placito, senior business administration major and defender, who was also named Defender of the Week on Sept. 4. He also earned another PacWest Conference Player of the Week honor on Sept. 18.
Apodaca was also named Player of the Week for NCAA Division II twice. Once on Sept. 5 and another time on Sept. 19. He currently has a total of 15 goals this season.
Apodaca also gained the record for most goals in a single game with five goals in their 5-0 road victory against Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho. Sept. 16.
Apodaca said it is great to achieve those honors.
“Not just me, but everybody started the year off greatly,” Apodaca said. “I know I’m in the limelight now, but our midfield and defense has stepped up big time this year.”
Apodaca said his favorite soccer accomplishment of all time was during his freshman year of college when he won Freshman of the Year.
“I’ve been playing soccer ever since I was the age of 6, 15 years ago,” Apodaca said. “This year, I could hopefully get Player of the Year and top that accomplishment.”
Coe Michaelson, head coach of men’s soccer, said Apodaca started the year off fantastically. “Ten goals in four games is a great accomplishment,” Michaelson said. “He would be disappointed if he knew his senior year was just about getting 10 goals in four games. He will hope to accomplish more.” Michaelson also said having a player like Apodaca gives him and the team confidence.
“We know that we’re good for goals thanks to Aidan,” Mi- chaelson said. “Hugo (Gutierrez, senior criminal justice major and midfielder) is leading the country in assists and we have attackers who would be the best attackers in the country.”
“Our hopes are that we make noise on the national level,” Michaelson said. “When it comes time to play at the NCAA level, we’re there playing in the Final Four and Aidan’s getting recognition individually.”
Apodaca and the rest of the men’s soccer team will be in action at home Sept. 23 against Hawaii Pacific University.
