Daniel Ittycheria Shines as Player of the Week, Leading Princeton to Ivy League Glory

In the spotlight for this week’s standout performances, Daniel Ittycheria earns Player of the Week honors after propelling Princeton to their first-ever Ivy League tournament championship. The junior forward delivered when it mattered most, showcasing his ability to rise in critical moments and securing Princeton’s spot in the NCAA tournament.

Ittycheria’s heroics began in the Ivy League semi-final against a heavily favored Cornell squad ranked sixth nationally. Down 2-0 within 18 minutes, Princeton needed a spark, and Ittycheria answered. His first goal, a powerful header, cut the deficit to 2-1, and his second—an overtime golden goal—sealed a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory. With just seven minutes left in the second overtime, his decisive finish sent Princeton into the championship match.

The final presented another daunting challenge: a road match against No. 4 Penn in a high-pressure environment. Ittycheria and the Tigers rose to the occasion, dominating the Ivy League final with a 3-1 victory. Ittycheria delivered the finishing blow, scoring Princeton’s third goal with a precise strike from outside the 18-yard box to cap off an unforgettable week.

Thanks to Ittycheria’s clutch performances, Princeton returns to the NCAA tournament after a two-year absence, reinvigorating their program with championship momentum.

Men’s Team of the Week: November 11–17

Goalkeeper

Josh Lane (Robert Morris): Lane was instrumental in the Colonials’ Horizon League tournament success, making eight saves across two 1-0 victories, including the championship win over Oakland.

Defenders

Carlos Hernando (West Virginia): Hernando’s game-winning goal in the semi-final and a heroic 110-minute effort in the final against No. 8 Marshall secured the Sun Belt title for the Mountaineers.
Lasse Laursen (Charlotte): A crucial presence in defense, Laursen played a full 90 minutes in a semi-final shutout of South Florida and set up the overtime winner in the AAC final against Florida International.
Prince Amponsah (Wake Forest): The ACC Tournament Defensive MVP anchored the Demon Deacons to a dominant 5-1 win over Virginia and a penalty shootout victory against Clemson in the final.

Midfielders

Julien Le Bourdoulous (Kansas City): Le Bourdoulous delivered two assists in Kansas City’s stunning upset over No. 2 Denver, leading the team to the Summit League trophy.
Anton Khelil (North Florida): Khelil contributed two assists in a semi-final win over FGCU and scored in the final against Central Arkansas, lifting North Florida to the ASUN title.
Edgar Leon (Seattle): The freshman midfielder scored twice in the semi-finals and played a pivotal role in Seattle’s WAC championship victory over San Jose State.
Alan Martinez (LIU): The NEC Tournament MVP was a commanding force, scoring twice to guide LIU past Saint Francis and Fairleigh Dickinson to secure the title.

Forwards

Daniel Ittycheria (Princeton): Ittycheria’s clutch goals in both the Ivy League semi-final and final defined Princeton’s historic tournament run.
Felix Buabeng (Dayton): As a super-sub, Buabeng scored two goals in the 3-0 championship win over Saint Louis, following his assist in the semi-final victory over Fordham.
Cason Goodman (UC Davis): Goodman’s two-goal performance in the Big West tournament final upset over UC Santa Barbara sealed the Aggies’ title.

Honorable Mentions

GK: Max Trejo (Ohio State)
D: Demian Alvarez (Seattle), Victor Thompson Jr. (Robert Morris), Leo Andrade (Gardner-Webb)
M: Connor Evans (Portland), Baraka Tarleton (Evansville), Zach Zengue (Georgetown), Martin Bakken (Dayton)
F: Devonte Richards (Central Arkansas), Drew Roskos (Bucknell), Joaquin Acuna (North Florida)

As the postseason intensifies, Ittycheria’s memorable week sets the tone for Princeton’s NCAA tournament aspirations, while standout players across the country continue to elevate their teams with championship-worthy performances.