LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – Thanks to a brilliant effort in goal this past week, Gannon University's Samuel Alarcon (Madrid, Spain/Colegio el Valle II) has repeated as the PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Week. In addition, Tinashe Katsande (Norwich, England/Dereham Sixth Form College) was selected as the Co-Athlete of the Week, sharing the honor with Gabin Lonjard of Slippery Rock.

Katsande and Alarcon both played a big role in Gannon's 5-1 win over Mercyhurst and 5-0 victory over California. Katsande, a graduate student, finished with two goals and three assists while helping the Golden Knights erupt for 10 goals in two games.

He opened the scoring against Mercyhurst on Sept. 27 with a goal at the 29:02 mark. He scored on the right side in front of the net off assists from Pau Ferrer (Valencia, Spain/ISES Isabel de Villena) and James Pool (Hastings, England/Claverham). He later assisted on a goal by Petter Dyrkorn (Sandvika, Norway/Doenski Videregaaende Skole) as Gannon took a 3-0 lead.

Against California on Saturday, Katsande opened the scoring again, striking 13:36 into the game off assists from Pau Ferrer (Valencia, Spain/ISES Isabel de Villena) and Rafa Hyde (São José dos Campos, Brazil). Katsande later assisted on a goal by James Pool (Hastings, England/Claverham) and a goal by Samuel Burton (Vantaa, Finland/Makelanrinteen Lukio).

Through nine games, Katsande ranks second on the team with four goals, six assists, and 14 points.

This marks the third time Alarcon has received the honor this season. The sophomore from Spain was brilliant in goal against Mercyhurst as Gannon upset the 10th-ranked Lakers 5-1. The only goal he permitted was on a penalty kick in the final 10 minutes.

He recorded a career-high eight saves, including a pair in a key juncture in the second half with Gannon leading 2-0. He stopped a penalty kick by Dylan Sumner, the 2022 PSAC West Athlete of the Year, then stopped a second shot by
Sumner when the rebound came back to him.

On Saturday, Alarcon recorded five saves in a 5-0 shutout at California (Pa.). It was his second shutout of the season.