ST. LOUIS - Missouri State men's soccer senior forward Jesus Barea has been named Missouri Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Week, the league announced Tuesday afternoon. The award is Barea's second weekly honor this season and fifth of his career. He also won Player of the Week on Sept. 3 after scoring braces against Pacific (Aug. 26) and Kansas City (Sept. 2).

Barea (Cádiz, Spain) scored three goals across the Bears' two matches last week at Memphis on Tuesday and against Bowling Green on Sunday. Barea scored two second-half goals to secure a 3-1 win over Memphis in Missouri State's first win over the Tigers since 2012. Barea earned his fourth brace of the season and fifth of his career. 

Barea continued his hot streak in the clutch against Bowling Green to grow Missouri State's lead in the MVC standings. The senior nailed the game-winning goal in the 84th minute to give the Bears a 2-1 win over the Falcons. The goal was Barea's conference-leading 13th of the season, which is the second-most in the nation behind Akron's Emil Jaaskelainen (16). Barea has scored in none of the team's 13 matches this season and is averaging one goal per game. His 13 goals this season are the sixth-most in a season in program history.

Additionally, Barea secured his name on top of the team history books against Bowling Green. He became the program's all-time leader in shots after putting up a match-high six on Sunday to reach a career total of 241. Barea surpassed Jamal Sutton's record of 236 career shots he took from 2000-03.

No. 15-ranked Missouri State (10-2-1, 5-0-1 MVC) will play its final nonconference match of the regular season tomorrow as it welcomes the Saint Louis Billikens (5-2-6, 3-0-3 Atlantic 10) to Betty & Bobby Allison South Stadium for the first time in what will be the 16th all-time matchup between the two teams. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. CT and admission will be free.