Wiley pair, Huston-Tillotson's Cruz earn Week 8 HBCUAC Men's Soccer Awards

Anthony Ulloa and Daniel Rojas helped the Wildcats take first in the HBCUAC West Division. Alejandro Cruz helped the Rams to their second HBCUAC victory.

October 20, 2025

NEW ORLEANS - October 20, 2025 - Wiley University center attacking midfielder Anthony Ulloa wins Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) Offensive Player of the Week. Daniel Rojas garners Defensive Player of the Week. Huston-Tillotson's Alejandro Cruz captures Freshman of the Week. The men were recognized for their performances between October 13-19, 2025.

Ulloa set the tone with his fifth goal of the season in the fifth minute that put the Wildcats on the board in a 2-0 victory over Huston-Tillotson University. It was his third game-winning goal this season. He is tied for the conference lead in goals and ranks second with 30 shots and 12 points. This is his third weekly honor.

Rojas tallied his second shutout and contributed to his third overall this season. He stopped three shots in Monday's victory which gave the Wildcats sole possession of first place in the HBCUAC West. In four starts, Rojas has a 0.34 goals-against average. This is his third weekly honor.

Cruz scored an assisted on the match-winning goal in Saturday's 3-2 victory over Paul Quinn College. He has two goals and two assists this season in 13 matches.

Additional men's soccer weekly nominees: Juan Acosta (Huston-Tillotson), Alejandro Barcena (Wiley)

2025 HBCUAC Men's Soccer Players of the Week

Date	Offensive	Defensive	Freshman	Newcomer
August 25-31	Anthony Ulloa, Wiley	Kevin Nievas, Wiley	Kevin Nievas, Wiley	N/A
Sept. 1-7	Manuel Guevara, Huston-Tillotson	Kevin Nievas, Wiley	Manuel Guevara, Huston-Tillotson	Ian Hernandez, Wiley
Sept. 8-14	Anthony Ulloa, Wiley	Daniel Rojas, Wiley	Kevin Nievas, Wiley	Tariq Singh, Talladega
Sept. 15-21	Omar Ponce, Huston-Tillotson	Juan Acosta, Huston-Tillotson	Omar Ponce, Huston-Tillotson	Bienvenie Bisimwa, Paul Quinn
Sept. 22-28	Helix Owusu, Tougaloo	Daniel Rojas, Wiley	Alvaro Guerrero, Wiley	N/A
Sept. 29-Oct. 5	Alejandro Barcena, Wiley	Kevin Nievas, Wiley	Alejandro Barcena, Wiley	Ian Hernandez, Wiley
Oct. 6-12	Malachi Daniel, Talladega	Juan Cayasso, Wiley	Jared Smeins, Talladega	Tariq Singh, Talladega
Oct. 13-19	Anthony Ulloa, Wiley	Daniel Rojas, Wiley	Alejandro Cruz, Huston-Tillotson	N/A

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.