Nov. 9, 2011

ST. LOUIS -- Missouri State men's soccer senior forward Heath Melugin was named Prairie Farms/Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Week on Wednesday the league office announced. The award comes two days after he earned MVC Offensive Player of the Week honors and is his second scholar-athlete award of the season.

Melugin, who holds a 3.97 cumulative GPA in cell and molecular biology, was recently named to the Capital One Academic All-District VI first team. As an All-District first-team selection, he is now eligible for the Capital One Academic All-America ballot.

The senior knocked in the game-winning goal with less than five minutes remaining in the 2-1 double-overtime road win at Drake. His eighth-career game-winner moved him into the top-five all-time at Missouri State and helped the Bears clinch a share of the MVC regular-season title.

Throughout league play, Melugin ranks among the MVC's best in several statistical categories as he is tied for the conference-lead in points (8), goals (3) and game-winning goals (2). For the season, the preseason All-MVC selection leads the team in points, goals, shots, shots on goal and game-winners.

To qualify for Prairie Farms/Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Week laurels, student-athletes must carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.20, completed at least one academic year at a Valley institution and must be at least a sophomore in academic standing. Redshirt freshmen and first-year junior college transfers are not eligible. In addition to the academic qualifications, student-athletes will be evaluated on their athletic performance for a one-week period.

The Bears earned the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye for the State Farm MVC Men's Soccer Championship in Omaha, Neb., set to begin Wednesday. Missouri State will take on the Drake/Central Arkansas winner on Friday at 3 p.m.