KALAMAZOO, Mich. - After a week of strong performances in the MIAA, the Kalamazoo College men's soccer team has taken home both conference player of the week awards as Griffin Hamel has been names MIAA Defensive Player of the Week and Thomas Bryant has been named MIAA Offensive Player of the Week.
Hamel, a senior from Bloomfield Hills, was a standout in goal for the Hornets in each of the team's games this week. Against Trine on Tuesday he recorded three saves as the team picked up a 2-1 victory. In Thursday's make up game against Hope he made seven saves to hold off the Dutch for almost 100 minutes in a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory which pushed Kalamazoo into second place in the MIAA. Hamel finished off the week on Saturday with perhaps his best performance, recording six saves and allowing only goal in a 1-0 defeat to Calvin, the top ranked team in NCAA DIII.
Hamel has been a mainstay in goal for K for the past three seasons and has started each of Kalamazoo's games this year. He has made the second most saves in the MIAA this season with 73 and has a 1.40 goals against average to go along with four shutouts.
He is being honored as Defensive Player of the Week for the second time in his career.
Thomas Bryant, a senior from Kalamazoo, led the way offensively for the Hornets this week. Against Trine, he led the team with four shots, none of which was more important than the game winning goal he scored with two minutes remaining to give the Hornets the 2-1 win. He again came through when it counted against Hope as his persistence up front led to a goal with 10 seconds remaining in the first overtime period of that match to give K the victory and Bryant his second game winning goal of the week.
After spending last fall studying abroad in London, Bryant has returned to the field this year as a major contributor for the Hornets, starting every game and recording three goals and an assist for seven total points.
Bryant is being honored as Offensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career.
Coach Lumumba Shabazz congratulated the two saying, "These are well deserved awards because both Tom and Griffin have been exemplary with their work ethic, their competitive drive, and their willingness to lead from the front. I am very happy for them and the rest of our team."
Hamel and Bryant will be honored on Wednesday along with their fellow senior classmates as the Hornets take on Albion and celebrate Senior Night at 7 p.m. at MacKenzie Field.