Sept. 7, 2010

BERKELEY - California defender A.J. Soares earned the Pac-10 Player of the Week award today and claimed a spot on this week's College Soccer News Team of the Week for his superb play that led the Golden Bears to the title of the season-opening adidas/IU Credit Union Classic.

The senior co-captain was named the tournament's defensive MVP after Cal's performances against two nationally ranked teams. The Bears upset the then-No. 20/21 Hoosiers, 2-1, on Sept. 3 in double overtime in Bloomington, Ind., and tied then-No. 18 Notre Dame, 0-0, also in double overtime on Sept. 5 in Notre Dame, Ind. Soares was also one of four Bears - including junior goalkeeper David Bingham, senior midfielder Servando Carrasco and senior forward Davis Paul - named to the all-tournament team.

This marks Soares' first Pac-10 Player of the Week accolade and the 15th for the Cal program.

College Soccer News kept its eye on the Solana Beach, Calif., product, as it named him a second-team preseason All-American.

Another website, Soccer By Ives, includes Soares among its SBI's Best XI to watch for the 2011 MLS Draft.

The Bears open their home schedule when they host the Cal Legacy Classic this week at Edwards Stadium. Cal first plays Saint Mary's, which received votes in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll, at 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 10. In their final game of the tournament, the Bears take on UNLV at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 12.

Also Nominated for Pac-10 Player of the Week: Travis Sanchez, OSU; Raymundo Reza, SDSU; Ryan Hollingshead, UCLA; Spencer Richey, WASH.