VIDEO: Ashley Kelynack Interview
ROCK HILL, S.C. – For the first time in his career, Ashley Kelynack (High Wycombe, England) has been lauded the AstroTurf Player of the Week, as announced by the South Atlantic Conference on Tuesday.
This laurel comes after a stellar week for the redshirt junior in which he scored three goals, one being a game-winner, with one assist.
This marks the second-straight season that a Carson-Newman Eagle has been named the conference's Player of the Week on Sept. 11, last year's recipient being Tobias Solem Karlsen (Kongsvinger, Norway). He was also the last Eagle to receive the award back on Oct. 9.
"We need to carry on and keep going all season," Kelynack said. "Take it game-by-game."
The forward notched his first multi-goal game in the win over North Greenville on Sept. 4, scoring goals in the 53rd and 69th minutes.
A quick little �� stop and go �� did the trick for Ashley Kelynack's second goal last night in the @CNmenssoccer victory. pic.twitter.com/Yj7jJ6z09p
— C-N Athletics (@CNathletics) September 5, 2018
That same night, he sent 14 shots in the game, marking the highest number of shots taken by an Eagle in a game in program history. He bypassed the last mark of 12 attained by Ross Frame against Brevard back on Sept. 28, 2013.
After scoring the game-winning goal on a lofting pass from Karlsen against Barry, Kelynack became the leading scorer for Carson-Newman on the season. His three goals on the year through three games matches his total number of goals scored through 14 games last season.
For his career, he now stands at eight goals in the Orange and Blue.
"Mentality (has improved), working a lot more outside of practice, just putting in a bit or work and adjusting my mentality to contribute more to help the team win," Kelynack mentioned. "That's all that's been different."
Aside from goals, the preseason All-SAC second team selection leads the team or shares the lead in just about every statistical category to this point of the season. He has accumulated 18 shots with seven on goal. His two goals and lone assist put him at seven points on the season.
"Obviously, people are going to be watching Toby, people are going to be watching our midfield a lot," Kelynack added, "so, it comes to a point where there's too many options to deal with so it makes it easier for me."
Kelynack and the Eagles open up conference play on Wednesday evening with a trip to Lenoir-Rhyne. That game will begin at 5 p.m. from Bears Field in Hickory, N.C. Fans who can not make the trip will be able to tune into the live broadcast or the live stats available throughout the contest courtesy of Lenoir-Rhyne.
2018 SAC AstroTurf Men's Soccer Players of the Week
Offensive Player of the Week
Sept. 11 – Ashley Kelynack, Carson-Newman
Sept. 5 – Elliot Cutts, Wingate
Defensive Player of the Week
Sept. 11 – Jakob Sellhed, Wingate
Sept. 5 – Alejandro Quiriti, Tusculum