Sept. 11, 2007

PHILADELPHIA - NJIT sophomore men's soccer player Erik Magnusson was named the first Atlantic Soccer Conference Player of the Week of the 2007 season, ASC publicity director Tony Berich announced today.

Magnusson, who scored both goals in the Highlanders 2-0 upset win at San Diego State last Friday, was named the Offensive Most Valuable Player of the Soccer Post/Aztec Classic men's soccer tournament held in San Diego over the weekend.

NJIT placed second in the Classic, which was won by the University of San Diego, a 2-0 winner over the Highlanders on Sunday.

The Highlanders second-place ranking followed its split against the two San Diego-based opponents. NJIT shocked San Diego State on Friday, going across the country to defeat the Aztecs, who were in the Top 25 of two national rankings and receiving votes in two others. San Diego State was ranked 22nd by Top Drawer Soccer and 23rd by Soccer America.

Magnusson was the hero of that win, registering a pair of second-half goals to lead the Highlanders. The native of Sweden was also dangerous in Sunday's loss to USD.

He assisted on NJIT's only goal in a season-opening 2-1 loss at Iona on August 31 and leads the ASC in points per game (1.67 on 5 points in 3 games) and goals per game (0.67 on 2 goals in 3 games).

Magnusson and the Highlanders are slated to open their home season on Friday, September 14 at 4 pm against Long Island University on Lubetkin Field.