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