Rochester, MN- 

With many NJCAA soccer programs opening up the 2017 slate over the last full weekend of August, several MCAC programs took to the pitch to begin their fall campaigns.  The Anoka-Ramsey women's soccer team is coming off of a 2016 appearance at the NJCAA Division III national tournament, while men's programs in the MCAC are looking to take that next step.  Two soccer student-athletes stood out in their early season matches, and have earned the MCAC Men's and Women's Soccer Players-of-the-Week honors, respectively. 

Ignacio Lafourcade, from Riverland Community College in Austin, has been named the Minnesota College Athletic Conference Men's Soccer Player-of-the-Week.  Lafourcade, a sophomore from Rancagua, Chile, was quiet statistically-speaking, but a key leader for the Blue Devils in their contests against NCAA 4-year competition over the past week.  In exhibtion action, Riverland defeated Saint Mary's (Mn) 3-1 in Winona and then went on to earn a 1-1 draw the JV team of Gustavus Adolfus College in St. Peter.  The center-back was key in holding the offenses of SMU and GAC in check, while also finding a way to link up play for Riverland, building out the back with a mostly-freshman lineup.  For his stalwart defensive efforts, Igancio Lafourcade is the MCAC Men's Soccer Player-of-the-Week. 

The Golden Rams of Anoka-Ramsey have a lot to build on from last season's national finals appearance.  After a tough setback at NJCAA Division II Iowa Lakes Community College on August 26th, ARCC was ready for a home match on Monday, August 28th to push their reset button.  Five goals later, Anoka dispatched MCAC foe Lake Superior College in a shutout on home turf.  Golden Ram striker Kati Beckman tallied a hat trick in the contest, scoring goals at the 6th, 73rd and 74th minutes to put the match out of reach from the visiting IceHawks.  Beckman tallied an amazing 20 shots in the contest, putting nine on goal. She also added an assist in the match.  For her offensive display, Beckman is the MCAC Women's Soccer Player-of-the-Week. 

To Follow Minnesota College Athletic Conference sports in 2017,  please go to: www.mcacsports.org

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