HIGH POINT, N.C. – George Ekdahl of the High Point University men’s soccer team has been named the Big South Conference Freshman of the Week, the league announced on Monday. Ekdahl scored the game-winning goal in HPU’s victory over Howard on Friday.
After coming on as a substitute in the 34th minute, Ekdahl made an immediate impression, putting a shot on net less than five minutes later. After sending a shot wide in the 51st minute, Ekdahl finally connected in the 58th minute. Off a turnover at midfield, sophomore Siggi Benonysson streaked down the right side and crossed to Ekdahl, who was uncontested in the box to score his first career goal.
The Phoenix, Ariz. native continued a string of Panther freshman scoring in their collegiate debut after Benonysson and Ryan Inman netted goals in the season opener last year. High Point won Freshman of the Week five times a year ago with four different players earning the award.
The Panthers return to action tonight at UNCG at 7 p.m. The match marks the beginning of a four-game road trip for HPU before returning home to take on USC Upstate on Saturday, Sep. 16 at 7 p.m.