UNITED STATES -- After leading the #9 Western Michigan men's soccer team to a 4-1 road victory over Detroit Mercy and a 0-0 tie at Bradley University this past week, junior midfielder Carson Hodgson was named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week.

On Tuesday, October 22, at Detroit Mercy, Hodgson saw an offensive explosion with his first career hat trick. With the game tied at 1-1 with 23 minutes to go, the midfielder completely took over the game by scoring in the 68th, 70th, and 78th minutes. In total, Hodgson tallied five shots (four on goal) and compiled six points. In the win over in-state rival Detroit Mercy, Hodgson's goal in the 68th minute marked his fourth game-winner of the year which is tied for the second most game-winning goals in the NCAA as of this weekend. 

Hodgson's hat trick was the third hat trick produced by a member of the Brown and Gold since the 2009 season. Previously, Saeed Sulemana Baba scored four goals on September 27, 2009, in a 6-2 win over Centenary at WMU Soccer Complex. 13 years later, Charlie Sharp scored four goals on October 2, 2022, in WMU's 7-1 victory over Chicago State at WMU Soccer Complex. Sharp would later score a hat trick in a 5-4 win over Dayton in Kalamazoo on September 10, 2023.

Last week, the win over the Titans would extend the men's soccer team's 17th consecutive victory over State of Michigan opponents, which is the longest win streak over Michigan opponents in men's college soccer history.

Hodgon's MVC Offensive Player of the Week honor caps off a decorated week for the junior: The midfielder was named NCAA Digital Men's Soccer Player of the Week on Wednesday, October 23, and earned TopDrawerSoccer's Team of the Week honors earlier this morning.

As of Monday, October 28, Hodgson is tied for the third most goals in the MVC and ranks fourth in the MVC in assists. Hodgson currently sits with 19 career assists and ranks sixth all-time in assists produced by a Bronco in program history.

Hodgson and WMU remain the last unbeaten team in DI NCAA Men's Soccer and have completed 37 consecutive games without a loss.

For all things WMU men's soccer, make sure to follow the team on Instagram, @wmu_menssoccer, X, @WMUMensSoccer, and Facebook, @wmumenssoccer.