UNCG's Graham named one of the top 15 freshmen in college soccer this season

GREENSBORO, N.C. – UNCG freshman forward Brian Graham was picked for a list of the top 15 freshman in collegiate men's soccer this week by goal.com.

In J.R. Eskilson's column this week, he evaluates the top 15 freshmen in men's college soccer through the first two months of the season. Graham was listed in "The Freshman 15" along with Akron's duo of Darren Mattocks and Perry Kitchen, Louisville's Dylan Mares, Tyler Polak of Creighton, Connecticut's Mamadou Diouf, Michigan's Soony Saad, SMU's Juan Castillo, UCLA's Kelyn Rowe, David Opoku of UCSB, Georgetown's Steve Neumann, Bradley's Aodhan Quinn, Stephen Baker from Penn, San Diego State's Tyrone Martin and South Carolina's Bradlee Baladez.

Graham, a native of Bowie, Md., has logged all of his 15 points during UNCG's current six-match unbeaten streak (4-0-2). He had a seven-point night against Wofford, having a hand in all four tallies of a 4-2 win against the Terriers on Oct. 19. That performance was the most points scored by a Spartan since Alejandro Moreno's eight-point game against The Citadel on Oct. 12, 1999.

Graham followed that up with a goal and an assist three days later in a 4-1 win over Gardner-Webb. The 10-point week earned him Southern Conference Player of the Week honors this past Tuesday.

"We are very proud to have one of our talented freshman get recognition in this way," said UNCG interim head coach Justin Maullin. "Brian is just one of several freshmen we have that are fitting for this kind of recognition. I am happy for Brian. He is a great kid and has worked very hard. His hard work is starting to pay off.

"Brian's success is due to our team working together to be successful no matter who gets the recognition. We trust his success will continue and that Brian will finish at UNCG with a very successful four years."

The Spartans return to action Saturday night when they face Furman in their final Southern Conference match of the regular season. With the right combination of outcomes around the league, including a Spartan win, UNCG could clinch a share of the SoCon regular-season title.

- UNCG -