ST. PAUL, Minn.-- The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference announced it's Player of the Week Awards on Tuesday afternoon. For the first time this season a North Central Men's Soccer Player was honored as David Afolabi was named the Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week. 

North Central Men's Soccer is in the midst of a four-game unbeaten streak and junior David Afolabi (Champlin, Minn./Champlin Park) has been a key part of spearheading the Rams defensive effort. The Rams have allowed less than a goal per game over that stretch.

Last Wednesday the Rams broke their seven game losing streak against The University of Northwestern (St. Paul, Minn.) with a 1-1 draw at Elliot Park Field. David Afolabi was responsible for the equalizing goal in the 75th minute and was force on the defensive end helping keep the third place Eagles off the board through a pair of overtime sessions.

On Saturday the Rams held Martin Luther College (New Ulm, Minn.) scoreless in a 1-0 victory over the Knights and Afolabi was a defensive force. MLC is averaging over 15 shots and 2.1 goals per 90 minutes, both third in the UMAC. Led by Afolabi, the Rams back end held MLC score less on 7 shots with just 3 on frame.

Afolabi and the Rams are just a game out of the final UMAC playoff spot with a pair of road conference games on the slate this week. Today NCU takes on Crown College (St. Bonifacius, Minn.) at 7:15 p.m. Saturday the Rams travel to Northland College (Ashland, Wis.) for 3:15 p.m. kickoff.