NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Diego Pacheco is the Red River Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week in men's soccer for Aug. 25-31.
        The RRAC announced Tuesday the award, Pacheco's first of his XULA career.
        Pacheco, a 5-foot-9 defender and a sophomore from Salvador, Brazil, led a defense that surrendered just one shot on a goal in a 2-0 home victory Friday against NAIA No. 6 Mobile — the first-ever Gold Rush victory against a top-25 opponent.
        "Diego won every duel in the air and on the ground," XULA head coach Lucas Cordeiro said. "He was fast and strong covering the outside backs."
        Next for XULA (2-0-1):
        •  7 p.m. Wednesday at NAIA No. 3 William Carey
        •  4 p.m. Sunday vs. Faulkner at Daphne, Ala.
        •  3:30 p.m. Sept. 25 at home against Texas College (Lafreniere Park, Metairie, La.)
        •  3:30 p.m. Sept. 27 at home against Southwest (N.M.) (Lafreniere)

Photo of Diego Pacheco by Yamlak Tsega