EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Forward Christian Volesky of the SIUE men's soccer team has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Week after scoring three goals in two games during the Cougars' season-opening California road trip.

The 6-foot, 1-inch junior was on target in matches against Santa Clara and San Jose State over the weekend and also was honored on the College Soccer News National Team of the Week.

Against Santa Clara Friday night, Volesky provided the game-winning goal in overtime as the Cougars secured a 2-1 win in their season opener.

With six minutes remaining in the second extra time period, Volesky headed home a cross from freshman Andrew Kendall-Moullin to hand SIUE its third consecutive season-opening victory.

On Sunday, Volesky scored both of SIUE's goals in a 2-0 win at San Jose State.   He gave the Cougars the lead within the first 10 minutes of play before finding the net again early in the second half.

After the season's opening weekend, Volesky is one of just seven players nationally with three or more goals scored.  He currently leads the MVC in shots (14), points (6), goals (3), and game-winning goals (2).

The Henderson, Nev., native is on the watch list for the MAC Hermann Trophy, the highest individual honor in collegiate men's soccer and also was named to the MVC Preseason All-Conference team.

Following its perfect 2-0 start, SIUE is ranked 26^th overall in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) national poll with 51 votes.  The Cougars also are tied with UAB for second in the NSCAA Midwest Regional Rankings.