HUDSONVILLE, Mich. – Tyler Murphy of the Trine University men's soccer team has been named Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Men's Soccer Offensive Athlete of the Week. It is his second Athlete of the Week award of the 2022 season and this marks the fifth time he was won in his career.
Murphy, the junior forward from Greenfield, Indiana netted a pair of goals in last week's matches against Hope College and Alma College. The Thunder drew with the Flying Dutch on Wednesday 1-1 after the teams traded penalty kick scores. Trine was victorious over Alma by a score of 2-0 on Sunday afternoon to take sole possession of second place in the MIAA standings.
Murphy's penalty kick goal came just eight minutes into the match at home versus Hope when he got behind the defense and had to be fouled inside the penalty area to avoid surrendering an easy goal. The junior converted the penalty attempt, making him 4-for-4 on the season. He was on the pitch for the full 90 minutes in the tie.
Against the Scots, Murphy was in the right place at the right time for his eighth goal of the season. Teammate Liam Zimmerman set up Murphy for the insurance goal at the 53-minute mark after a cross from the left side. He was right in front of the net and used the heel of his foot to secure the match win at 2-0.
Statistically in the MIAA, Murphy is tied for fourth in goals scored (8) and points (18). The second-place Thunder are heading into their final conference matchup of the regular season with Adrian College at home on Tuesday, October 25 at 4 pm. A win results in Trine getting a first-round bye in the MIAA Tournament.