By: Frank Maira, Assistant Director of Athletics/Sports Information Director

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State Mont Alto men's and women's soccer programs had a couple individual accolades roll in after the opening weekend of the 2019 season. Senior Maddie Shirley (Biglerville, Pa. / Biglerville) and freshman Joao Pedro (Sorocaba, Brazil / Colegio Uirapuru) were selected as the Penn State University Athletic Conference Player of the Week after outstanding performances.

This is the first-ever time during her collegiate career that Maddie Shirley (Biglerville, Pa. / Biglerville) was recognized as the PSUAC Player of the Week. The senior midfielder earned USCAA All-American Honorable Mention honors a season ago and scored the lone goal of the game in the 2-1 loss to Hollins University on Saturday. Shirley made her first collegiate start as a keeper for the first 45 minutes filling in admirably. Within the second half she was stationed in the midfield and made a beautiful run into the 18-yard box and was fouled earning herself a penalty kick opportunity. Shirley slotted the ball into the back of the net for her sixth collegiate goal.

Joao Pedro (Sorocaba, Brazil / Colegio Uirapuru) made an immediate impact for the Penn State Mont Alto men's soccer team, helping them to a 2-0 start on the season. Helping his team to wins over Central Penn and Mid-Atlantic Christian, Pedro scored a goal and assisted on another in the win over Mid-Atlantic Christian. His goal proved to be the game-winning effort against the Mustangs.

The men's soccer team returns to action tonight against Manor College at 5 p.m., while the women's team play Central Penn tomorrow at 5 p.m.

Be sure to stay up to date on all your Penn State Mont Alto news, scores, and awards by following @PSUMAathletics on Twitter and by liking the "Penn State Mont Alto Athletics" Facebook page.