MADISON, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – UW-Eau Claire football tailback Joel Sweeney (Fr.-Tomah, Wis.), women's golfer Sara Mattes (Jr.-La Crosse, Wis./Central) and women's soccer defender Megan Hillesheim (Sr.-Ham Lake, Minn./Blaine) have earned Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Player of the Week honors, Assistant Commissioner for Media Relations Matt Stanek announced today.

In his first collegiate game, Sweeney ran for 181 yards to help the Blugolds to a 35-31 victory over Bethel University (Tenn.) on Sept. 4. Sweeney scored three touchdowns, including the go-ahead score late in the fourth quarter. His second touchdown came with just over one minute left in the first quarter after a 53-yard scamper. His 181 yards was one of the best opening performances for a Blugold freshman and he added 34 receiving yards.

Mattes led the Blugolds with a score of 158 strokes and helped the team to its first-place finish out of 21 teams at the Doug Georgianni Memorial Invite held at Mill Run Golf Course in Eau Claire, Wis., on Sept. 4-5. She recorded a second-place finish and was just one stroke away from securing medalist honors.

Hillesheim's leadership and stellar play was critical in marshalling the Blugolds' defense to a shutout opening-day victory over St. Olaf College (Minn.). Although the Blugolds lost the next two matches, Megan's leadership and tough, outstanding play limited both Calvin College (Mich.) and Washington University (Mo.), who are ranked No. 15 and No. 2, respectively, to one goal apiece.