DePaul University Athletics
Aguilar Honored as BIG EAST Rookie of the Week
9/21/2009 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S SOCCER
CHICAGO - It's been quite a 24-hour, good-news cycle for freshman forward Antonio Aguilar.
On Sunday evening with darkness beginning to descend on Wish Field, Aguilar scored the tying and winning goals in DePaul's 2-1, double-overtime victory over Marquette for its first victory in the BIG EAST Conference.
On Monday afternoon, Aguilar became the first Blue Demon men's soccer player to be awarded the BIG EAST Rookie of the Week honor. It's also his first collegiate award.
"Aw, is this for real?" Aguilar said when informed of the distinction. "That's a really big honor. It's pretty exciting to be recognized in a conference like the BIG EAST. There are a lot of good players in our conference."
Marquette had taken a 1-0 lead in the 83rd minute.
Just 66 seconds later, the 5-foot, 7-inch Aguilar fielded a pinpoint pass from Peter Sterbenz and tied the match up, mandating overtime.
In the 108th minute, a Marquette foul had Aguilar set up on an extreme angle on the right side
"I saw the goalie was a little out of line," Aguilar said. "He probably thought I was going to cross it. I just shot it over his head. "
Aguilar's second and third goals of the season tied him with Steffen Vroom for the team lead. Aguilar and Vroom each have seven points to lead the Blue Demons.
Vroom was named BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week last week when his three goals ignited a barrage of 10 Blue Demon goals in three games.
"No, I didn't expect this at all," Aguilar said. "I thought I'd get red-shirted, or that I wouldn't play at all this season.
"Going into preseason training, I saw the team, and everyone was so good. I never thought I'd be starting."
Aguilar credits advice from Vroom and forward Alex Mangan for much of his success.
"Those guys have way more experience than me," Aguilar said. "They tell me where I should be running and how I should position myself.
"Really, I have the whole team to thank for this award. They all have a part in this accomplishment."
