Pontikis collects River States Conference Offensive Player of the Week Award

Behind a week that saw junior captain Nikos Pontikis collect three goals and an assist in a 2-0 week for the Shawnee State men's soccer program, the high-motor veteran was named as the River States Conference's Offensive Player of the Week -- as announced by River States Conference officials Monday evening.

Pontikis was an absolute force all week for Shawnee State -- as the native of Athens, Greece helped Shawnee State claim a massive 33-3 shot advantage in a 7-1 victory over Cincinnati-Clermont. Pontikis scored the game's first goal in the 28th minute off of passes from Marco Riva and Benjamin Chandler, assisted on a 71st minute goal that allowed fellow teammate Marco Riva to claim a hat trick, and scored again himself in the 73rd minute off of a João Coqueti Léo to conclude matters.

In the contest against Cincinnati-Clermont, Pontikis posted over three times as many shots than the entire UC-Clermont team did by himself, outshooting Cincinnati-Clermont 10-3 while placing six of his 10 shots on frame in the contest.

On Saturday against Michigan-Dearborn, Pontikis scored the game-winning goal by sneaking in a 38th minute conversion on the back post off of a corner kick, breaking a 1-1 tie and giving the Bears a lead that it wouldn't relinquish in a 4-1 win

For the season, Pontikis leads Shawnee State with five goals and 12 points in 2024. His two assists are tied with four additional players for the team lead.