SDSU MEN'S SOCCER'S TRAVIS NICKLAW NAMED TO TOP DRAWER SOCCER TEAM OF THE WEEK

Nicklaw’s penalty kick propelled Aztecs to upset win over No. 1 Akron last Friday

Source: goaztecs.com press release

September 6, 2016 (San Diego) - After scoring the game-winning goal against No. 1 Akron last Friday, San Diego State defender Travis Nicklaw (San Diego, Calif.) has earned a spot on the TopDrawerSoccer.com Team of the Week, the website announced on Tuesday.  With his recognition, the Aztec redshirt senior becomes the first SDSU student-athlete to land on the exclusive 11-player team this season.

Playing in his first match of the year, Nicklaw notched his first career game-winning goal on a penalty kick in the 61st minute to spark the Aztecs to a momentous 1-0 victory over the top-ranked Zips in front of a boisterous crowd of 2,041 fans at SDSU Sports Deck. The University City High product was also part of a backline that limited Akron to just six shots for the game, including a scant two on goal. The Zips entered the contest averaging 21.0 shots per game, which ranked seventh in the nation.

Nicklaw received all-Pac-12 Conference honorable mention in 2015 despite missing five matches to compete for the Guam national team. Upon returning to Montezuma Road, he started 12 of 13 games at centerback, finishing fourth on the team with two goals and six points. Nicklaw also appeared on TopDrawerSoccer’s Top 100 Freshman list in 2012.

Nicklaw and the 13^th-ranked Aztecs (2-0-1) look to continue their unbeaten start to the 2016 campaign this weekend when they play host to the Courtyard Marriott San Diego Central Tournament at SDSU Sports Deck. The Scarlet and Black will take on UT Rio Grande Valley on Friday, Sept. 9, starting at 7 p.m. PT, before tangling with Memphis on Sunday, Sept. 11, beginning at 1 p.m. Admission for the tournament and all men’s soccer home games is free.