Rio's Isberner tabbed MSC Offensive Player of the Week

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -  Another stellar season by the University of Rio Grande RedStorm men's soccer team is producing some in-season honors as freshman forward/mid-fielder Richard Isberner was named as the Mid-South Conference Men's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week, the conference announced on Monday.

The weekly conference award is the first of the season for Isberner. This is the first offensive honor for a Rio Grande player this season. Sophomore goalkeeper Jordan Lower (South Webster, OH) copped the defensive honor last week. 

Isberner scored five goals and added a pair of assists to earn Mid-South Conference Offensive Player of the Week. The freshman midfielder from Sao Paulo, Brazil, scored a goal to open the week in Rio Grande's 6-0 win over St. Catharine College.

He followed with three goals and an assist in the RedStorm's 8-0 win over Campbellsville University. Isberner concluded the week with a goal and an assist in an 8-1 win over Daemen College.

"Richard started off a little slow, picked up an injury in pre-season and it took him a little while to get back into playing," said Rio Grande head coach Scott Morrissey. "He seems to be hitting his form and scoring goals, regardless of the competition, he's finding the back of the net and he's putting himself in good position. So, hopefully that continues."

Isberner is tied for second in the MSC with nine goals. His 21 points is also second in the conference.

Morrissey said the players enjoy getting the recognition and also thinks the team is somewhat responsible for the award as well. "It's nice to get that recognition, I'm sure the guys will be excited for Richard, I know they were for Jordan," he said. "It's one those cases where the team is kind of responsible, he's been put in pretty good position, guys deliver balls that are setting up for goals, it's an individual award, but obviously one that we look at the whole team as well."

No. 8-ranked Rio Grande is 9-2 on the season after six straight wins and 4-1 in the MSC.

Rio Grande will step out of conference for a match-up with former American Mideast Conference foe Cedarville on Thursday evening at 7 p.m. at Evan Davis Field. 

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