Academica SC forward Cody Golbad has been selected as the National Premier Soccer League player of the week.
Golbad registered two goals and one assist in a 4-0 win over East Bay FC Stompers May 5.
“I am absolutely honored to be recognized as the national player of the week,” Golbad said. “All praise should go to my teammates and coaching staff for putting me in the position to succeed as well as the board of directors for giving us all this opportunity to play.”
The Merced, Calif. native has been playing for Academica SC for two years and leads the team in scoring with six goals and two assists.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to work with Cody for a while now,” Academica SC head coach Sergio Sousa said. “He is a goal-scorer. He is very well-known for being an offensive threat. With multiple goals and assists this season, it was only a matter of time before the rest of the league took notice, as well. After a brace and an assist in our last matchup against the Stompers, he finally got some national recognition. Ironically, I credit his award and recognition to his commitment to bettering himself defensively this season.
“In the past month, I have complimented Cody multiple times on his defensive efforts. He presses the ball extremely well. He’s been very mindful of his defensive positioning, and it is allowing the rest of his team to prosper. His defensive efforts have directly translated to offensive success.”
After graduating from Golden Valley H.S., where he holds the record for most goals in a single season (26), Golbad played four seasons for the University of California-Merced, tallying 48 goals and 26 assists in 64 matches. He also was named California Pacific Conference player of the year as well as being Merced’s first NAIA All-American.
“Cody is surrounded by a very talented group of players that have assisted him in creating these goal-scoring chances,” Sousa said. “Bring it all together and it has added up to Cody receiving this award. Collective efforts and execution are everything. The truth is that if Cody and his teammates continues to do what they are doing, this won’t be the last time an award like this is presented to a player from Academica SC. I am very proud of Cody and I know his teammates will join me in congratulating him on the training ground tonight.”
The winner of this national honor is determined by a vote of media members from across the country. It is awarded every week during the regular season.
