Huston-Tillotson duo, Paul Quinn's Bisimwa take Week 4 HBCUAC Men's Soccer Awards

NEW ORLEANS - September 22, 2025 - Huston-Tillotson University freshman midfielder Omar Ponce wins Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) Men's Soccer Offensive Player and Freshman of the Week. Juan Acosta claims Defensive Player of the Week. Paul Quinn College's Bienvenie Bisimwa garners Newcomer of the Week. The men were recognized for their performance between September 15-21, the conference announced on Monday.

Ponce scored the game-winning goal in the 83rd minute against the two-time defending Red River Athletic Conference champion Louisiana Christian University on Saturday. Both of his shots were on goal. The win moves the Rams to first in the West Division.

Acosta, the Preseason HBCUAC Goalkeeper of the Year, did not allow a goal in 117 minutes of playing time. He earned a shutout against Louisiana Christian, stopping all four shots he faced. Acosta leads the conference with three wins.

Bisimwa recorded an assist and three shots in Paul Quinn's 3-3 tie against Texas A&M University-Texarkana. Bisimwa set up a goal that gave the Tigers a two-goal lead at the time. He ranks second in the conference with nine points and third with three assists.

Additional men's soccer weekly nominees: Adrian Acosta (Paul Quinn), Amando Garcia (Paul Quinn)

2025 HBCUAC Men's Soccer Players of the Week

About the HBCU Athletic Conference
The HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) is the only HBCU conference in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The HBCUAC membership includes Dillard University (LA), Fisk University (TN), Huston-Tillotson University (TX), Oakwood University (AL), Paul Quinn College (TX), Philander Smith University (AR), Rust College (MS), Southern University at New Orleans (LA), Stillman College (AL), Talladega College (AL), Tougaloo College (MS), University of the Virgin Islands (St. Thomas), Voorhees University (SC), Wilberforce University (OH), and Wiley University (TX). HBCUAC sponsors championships in men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's track and field, women's volleyball, softball, and baseball. In 2022, the HBCUAC secured the largest media rights deal in conference and NAIA history, signing a multimillion-dollar deal with Urban Edge Network. On July 1, 2024, the conference rebranded from the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) to the HBCU Athletic Conference, marking a new era for the conference that embodies the makeup of its membership. For more information, visit hbcuac.org.