Cedar Stars Academy attacking midfielder Christopher Katona during a coin toss against NY Pancyprian Freedoms. Photo by Dinos Avlonitis

Nov. 9th, 2017

Cedar Stars Academy attacking midfielder Christopher Katona was selected Player of the Week for the second consecutive time to become the first player to win the accolade twice in the modern era.

Katona netted a brace and provided two assists in a 5-0 win over Zum Schneider F.C on Saturday to win the selection. The previous round, the American won the award for scoring three goals and racking three assists against Doxa SC in a 7-0 victory.

Katona was pleased to win the accolade for a second consecutive week.

“It’s an appreciable feeling to have been nominated and selected as Player of the Week for the second straight week,” he said. "I figured someone in the league would’ve won the award twice within the modern era with such talented players throughout the league.

“My team and its success always come first and foremost, but awards sometimes are a good feeling to know that I’m contributing to our team.”

The 27-year-old’s first goal was a penalty kick and his second one a marvelous bicycle kick. With his injured shoulder Katona would’ve never went for an overhead kick, but there was a special someone watching him play.

“I injured my shoulder last week in a game now I’m forced to wear a brace so I would’ve never attempted a bicycle kick,” the midfielder said. “My girlfriend was in the stands I had to try to impress her.”

He previously stated: “I always say this as well as my teammates about scoring goals. If I score the easy goals I’m set, my life would be much easier on the soccer pitch. Instead, I’m always in positions that are more difficult.”

Katona’s assists were a diagonal ball down the right wing to Michael Olla, who beat a defender before firing a shot from the box and another diagonal pass to Jonathan Okafor who shot the ball beyond the Zum keeper for his first goal of the season.

The former Richard Stockton Univeristy star player is remarkably gifted in scoring and assisting, tallying five in each comportment in his last two CSL matches.  

“Being able to score goals and assist my teammates is rewarding," Katona said. Playing midfield is different from the aspect of playing forward that I’m used to. My teammates around me are so talented and make it easy for me to assist them.

"As for scoring goals from the midfield, I know I have to capitalize when I have the opportunity going forward.”

The two-time top player of the week’s next league game with CSA is an away trip to Manhattan Kickers’ turf, East River Park Field 2 Grand Street, on Nov 19th at 11:00 a.m.

Honorable mention

Daniel Bedoya (NY Pancyprian Freedoms): 2 goals vs Doxa SC in a 7-2 win

Ovan Oakley (Lansdowne Bhoys): 1 goal, 1 assist vs NY Athletic Club in a 3-2 win

Ruben Areiza (Central Park Rangers): 1 goal, 1 assist vs Manhattan Kickers in a 2-0 win

Past player of the week winners

• Week 1: Lansdowne Bhoys striker Ovan Oakley-- 2 goals, 1 assist vs Central Park Rangers Whites 
• Week 2: Cedar Stars Academy striker Paul Nittoli-- 2 goals vs NY Pancyprian Freedoms
• Week 3: Central Park Rangers Whites midfielder Idy Watt-- 2 goals vs NY Athletic Club
• Week 4: Manhattan Kickers striker Mahamadou "Remi" Diaby-- 2 goals, 1 assist vs NY Greek Americans
• Week 5: NY Pancyprian Freedoms midfielder Adam Himeno-- 1 goal, 1 assist vs NY Greek Americans 
• Week 6: NY Greek Americans left back Joseph Ruesgen-- 2 assists and a clean sheet vs Zum Schneider F.C 03
• Week7: Cedar Stars Academy attacking midfielder Christopher Katona-- 3 goals, 3 assists vs Doxa SC