KANSAS CITY, Mo.

Spurgeon College's Ty Dittbrenner and Eduard Mangalagiu earned NCCAA Division II Men's Soccer Student-Athlete of the Week honors September 28, capturing the offensive and defensive awards, respectively. Both played key roles in the Knights' 5-1 victory over No. 5 Faith Baptist Bible College on September 25 at Central Bank Sporting Complex.

The win lifted Spurgeon to 3-6 at the time and capped a two-match week with a statement against a nationally ranked opponent. Dittbrenner supplied three goals, while Mangalagiu helped limit Faith to one and added a goal of his own.

DITTBRENNER MAKES PROGRAM HISTORY

Dittbrenner's three-goal performance against Faith marked the first hat trick in Spurgeon men's soccer history, according to the NCCAA. The junior from Beatrice, Nebraska, finished the award week with three goals and one assist for seven points.

He opened the week by assisting Spurgeon's goal in a 2-1 loss to Blackburn College on September 22. Three days later, his finishing helped the Knights respond with a four-goal victory over Faith. Across the two matches, Dittbrenner recorded five shots, putting four on target and converting three into goals. 

MANGALAGIU CONTRIBUTES AT BOTH ENDS

After missing the Blackburn match with illness, Mangalagiu returned to play 80 minutes against Faith. The junior from Iasi, Romania, helped organize the Knights from his center back position as Spurgeon held the nationally ranked visitors to a single goal.

Mangalagiu also contributed to the attack, scoring on a second-half free kick. His goal gave him two points for the week and complemented the defensive work that earned him the national honor. Together, he and Dittbrenner accounted for four of Spurgeon's five goals in the victory.

BUILDING ON EARLIER PERFORMANCES

Both players had already contributed to notable scoring performances earlier in the season. Dittbrenner scored twice in the August 29 win at Emmaus University and twice against Principia College on September 7. Mangalagiu recorded two goals and an assist in the 7-2 victory at Emmaus, showing the attacking contribution he can provide alongside his defensive responsibilities. 

UP NEXT

Spurgeon travels to Union Adventist University in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Friday, October 9, for a 4 p.m. match. Come support the Knights as they continue their October schedule.