EDUARDO LOPEZ-RIVERA of Texas Lutheran University shares Newcomer-of-the-Year honors.

Lopez-Rivera, a freshman defender from Round Rock, Texas, started and played in every game as a true freshman, leading Texas Lutheran in minutes played for the season. His perseverance and play at center back down the stretch were infectious as the Bulldogs conceded just four goals in their final six games en route to earning the third-seed at the SCAC tournament – the highest regular season finish for the program since joining the conference prior to the 2013 season. Among his two goals on the season, Lopez-Rivera had the game-winner in the Bulldogs’ 1-0 shutout of Centenary on September 18. He is the first men’s soccer player from TLU to earn one of the league’s major postseason awards.

Lopez-Rivera received three votes from the coaches to share SCAC Newcomer-of-the-Year honors. First-year defender Victor Herrera of Southwestern University received the remaining first-place vote.