LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif. – After helping anchor a Kingsmen backline that turned in a strong 1-0-1 weekend, Cal Lutheran men's soccer defender Gavin Arce has been named the SCIAC Defensive Athlete of the Week.

Arce played all 90 minutes in Cal Lutheran's 3-1 victory over Colorado College on Friday, helping the Kingsmen close out the win while holding the Tigers to 12 shots and just five on goal. He continued to play a key role in the backline's defensive effort Sunday against No. 4 Emory, as Cal Lutheran held the nationally ranked Eagles to just six total shots and three on goal.

The Kingsmen finished the weekend unbeaten and moved to 2-1-2 on the season, already matching their win total from all of the 2025 campaign just five matches into the 2026 season. Cal Lutheran has also held four of its first five opponents to one goal or fewer.

Arce and the Kingsmen return to action on Wednesday, September 16 when they host Pomona-Pitzer to begin SCIAC play.