Caldeira and Veldhorst Dominate Sun Belt Weekly Honors in Standout Performances
In a dazzling display of athletic prowess and consistency, West Virginia University’s No. 10 men’s soccer team secured both the Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week honors from the Sun Belt Conference—an impressive sweep showcasing the elite form of Marcus Caldeira and Thijs Veldhorst this week.
West Virginia University Athletics
On the offensive front, senior forward Marcus Caldeira, proud native of Mississauga, Ontario, delivered a brilliant performance, contributing one goal and three assists in a commanding 5–2 victory over Manhattan, followed by another two goals in the win against La Salle. Over the span of two matches, he racked up an impressive nine points, leading to his recognition as Offensive Player of the Week.
It’s worth spotlighting Caldeira’s standout position within WVU’s soccer lore. His two goals against La Salle bring his season total to three, and overall career goals to 31, marking him as the active goals leader and tying him for seventh place on WVU’s all-time list. Even more notably, his 13 game-winning goals are the most in program history—cementing his reputation as a clutch performer.
West Virginia University Athletics
On the defensive end, junior defender Thijs Veldhorst from Nijmegen, Netherlands, earned Defensive Player of the Week honors for his rock-solid efforts at the back. He was instrumental in securing two clean sheets, first against La Salle and then on the road against the ranked No. 16 Akron. Veldhorst also chipped in offensively with his first goal of the season versus La Salle, and logged 157 minutes on the pitch—playing the full 90 minutes in the Akron match.
West Virginia University Athletics
This dual recognition marks the seventh time a WVU player has claimed Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week honors—and notably follows last week’s award to junior forward Pablo Pozos, who kicked off the season with Week 1’s offensive nod. Veldhorst’s defensive accolade is particularly meaningful: it’s only the second time a Mountaineer has received the Sun Belt’s Defensive Player of the Week award, and the first since Carlos Hernando earned it back in September 2023.
What This Means for WVU Men’s Soccer
West Virginia’s sweep of both weekly awards is a testament to the balanced strength of the squad—offensively dynamic, defensively resilient, and individually brimming with talent.
Caldeira’s consistent scoring—especially his knack for decisive goals—keeps WVU dangerous in every matchup.
Veldhorst’s defensive reliability, coupled with his willingness to contribute offensively, underscores his versatility and value to the backline.
Team momentum is surging, with recent results and individual honors setting a tone of confidence and ambition for the season.
Looking ahead, WVU will continue its South-Eastern swing, hosting No. 20 Gardner-Webb on Wednesday, September 3 at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. Attention will remain sharp on both Caldeira’s scoring trajectory and Veldhorst’s defensive mastery as the season progresses.
West Virginia University Athletics
In summary, the Week 2 honors bring deserved recognition to two standout Mountaineers, setting a high bar for performance and signaling exciting potential for WVU’s campaign ahead.
