PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Little East Conference (LEC) announced its first set of men’s soccer weekly award winners for the 2026 season, recognizing UMass Boston’s John Arruda and Ian Visnick and Eastern Connecticut State University’s Jack Harmon and Brad Balgach following standout performances during the opening week of competition.
Offensive Player of the Week – John Arruda, UMass Boston
Arruda provided the offensive spark for UMass Boston as the defending LEC champions opened the season with three consecutive victories. The senior forward scored three goals over the Beacons’ first three matches, including two game-winning tallies. Arruda opened his season by scoring the deciding goal in the 75th minute of UMass Boston’s 2-1 victory over Salve Regina University. He followed with the game-tying goal in a 2-1 comeback victory over Bridgewater State University before once again delivering in the Beacons’ 3-2 win over Saint Joseph’s College of Maine. With the contest tied late, Arruda scored the game-winner in the 84th minute, just 26 seconds after UMass Boston had drawn even. He finished the opening stretch with three goals and six points while helping the Beacons improve to 3-0 for the first time since 2016.
Defensive Player of the Week – Ian Visnick, UMass Boston
Visnick anchored the UMass Boston back line throughout the Beacons’ undefeated opening week. The senior defender helped UMass Boston earn three consecutive one-goal victories over Salve Regina, Bridgewater State and Saint Joseph’s College of Maine. Visnick and the Beacons were particularly effective at limiting scoring opportunities, holding Bridgewater State to just three total shots in their 2-1 victory. UMass Boston also controlled possession and limited Saint Joseph’s to six shots while generating 25 of its own in a 3-2 comeback win. Visnick, the reigning LEC Defensive Player of the Year, provided a veteran presence on the back line as the Beacons opened the campaign 3-0.
Goalkeeper of the Week – Jack Harmon, Eastern Connecticut
Harmon was perfect in goal during his three appearances for Eastern Connecticut to open the 2026 season. The junior goalkeeper played the first half of each of the Warriors’ three matches, totaling 135 scoreless minutes while recording 12 saves. Harmon made one save in the opening half of Eastern Connecticut’s 5-1 victory over Mitchell College before stopping all five shots he faced in the first half against Emerson College. He closed out the week with six first-half saves in the Warriors’ 2-1 road victory over Farmingdale State College. Harmon finished the opening week with a 1-0-0 record, 12 saves, a 1.000 save percentage and a 0.00 goals-against average.
Rookie of the Week – Brad Balgach, Eastern Connecticut
Balgach made an immediate contribution during his first week of collegiate competition for Eastern Connecticut. The first-year forward recorded his first career point in the Warriors’ season-opening 5-1 victory over Mitchell College, assisting on Ben Syphrett’s goal just 14 seconds into the match. Balgach continued to see significant time in the Eastern Connecticut attack throughout the week, including 65 minutes against Emerson College, as the Warriors played three matches to open the season. His early contributions helped Eastern Connecticut finish the opening week with a 2-1 record, earning victories over Mitchell and Farmingdale State.