AUSTIN, Texas — BARTEK ZABEK delivered when St. Edward's men's soccer needed it most, scoring a first-half hat trick to send the Hilltoppers into the postseason. On Monday, he was named the Lone Star Conference Offensive Player of the Week.
The redshirt junior from Frisco scored three times in the opening 31 minutes of St. Edward's 4-2 victory at West Texas A&M on Wednesday, including two goals just 13 seconds apart. His performance helped secure the Hilltoppers' LSC Tournament berth in their regular-season finale.
Zabek opened the scoring at 6:14, driving a low free kick past the defensive wall. After SHUNJI WATANABE doubled the lead, Zabek supplied the separation St. Edward's needed.
He finished an attack developed through IZAIAH GARZA at 30:21, then raced onto FILIP ADAMSKI's pass behind the defense and slipped another finish past the goalkeeper at 30:34. Zabek converted all three of his shots on goal, with his second tally standing as the game-winner.
The performance added another chapter to Zabek's history in Canyon. In 2023, he scored twice at West Texas A&M to help deliver St. Edward's first victory since the program's return. Three years later, he returned to help ensure the Hilltoppers' season would continue.
Zabek finished the season with eight goals, tied for the third-most in the conference, and two game-winners. He supplied four goals across St. Edward's final two regular-season victories, helping the Hilltoppers complete their late push into the LSC Tournament.
WEEKLY AWARDS
LSC Offensive Player of the Week
Aug. 31 Jose Ortiz, Midwestern State
Sept. 7 Aidan Williams, Texas A&M International
Sept. 14 Eduardo Fernandez, St. Mary's
Sept. 21 Parker Plaxco, Midwestern State
Sept. 28 Parker Plaxco, Midwestern State (2)
Oct. 5 Sebastian Poblete, St. Mary's
Oct. 12 Parker Plaxco, Midwestern State (3)
Oct. 19 Caleb Centeno, DBU
Oct. 26 Avery Brazzell, UT Dallas
Nov. 2 BARTEK ZABEK, St. Edward's
LSC Defensive Player of the Week
Aug. 31 TIMMY HOLLENBECK, St. Edward's
Sept. 7 Jack Golden, DBU
Sept. 14 Lewis Boney, St. Mary's
Sept. 21 Cason Berg, DBU
Sept. 28 Filipe Bastos, St. Mary's
Oct. 5 Tyler Ackah-Wheatcroft, Oklahoma Christian
Oct. 12 Tyler Ackah-Wheatcroft, Oklahoma Christian (2)
Oct. 19 Callum Thompson, UT Dallas
Oct. 26 Ethan Krchnak, Midwestern State
Nov. 2 Ethan Krchnak, Midwestern State (2)
LSC Goalkeeper of the Week
Aug. 31 Dante Caffaro, Oklahoma Christian
Sept. 7 Nicklas Berg-Eriksen, Texas A&M International
Sept. 14 Milo Paci, Lubbock Christian
Sept. 21 Jake Morris, Midwestern State
Sept. 28 Jake Morris, Midwestern State (2)
Oct. 5 Dante Caffaro, Oklahoma Christian (2)
Oct. 12 KALEO PEREZ-FRANCIS, St. Edward's
Oct. 19 Sean Mattivi, DBU
Oct. 26 Nichita Misac, St. Mary's
Nov. 2 Sean Mattivi, DBU (2)
D2CIDA National Player of the Week
Sept. 15 Eduardo Fernandez, St. Mary's
