Cook Named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week – Ohio State Buckeyes
10/29/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 29, 2001
%^$COLUMBUS, Ohio–The Big Ten Conference today announced it has named Justin Cook (So., Winter Springs, Fla./Oviedo) offensive player of the week for men’s soccer. Cook scored two goals-one a gamewinner-and added an assist in OSU’s two away wins this past weekend. He joins goalkeeper Kerry Thompson as the only other Buckeye to be named player of the week by the conference. Thompson was honored the weeks of Oct. 15 and Sept. 24.%^$
%^$”Justin is really getting back into good form.” John Bluem, OSU head coach, said. “He is playing like he was at the end of last season-like a leader. He is putting forth great effort and has the ability to score critical goals. Justin is taking charge of the team and demanding better performances from them. He is really stepping up. We need more of the guys to follow in his footsteps.”%^$
%^$Cook, who missed the first four games of the regular season because of a knee injury, has been spectacular in his return. In 11 games, the sophomore has tallied five goals and an assist for 11 points, placing him second on the team in scoring. His one point per game average is tied for tops on the team.%^$
%^$Oct. 26, Cook notched the gamewinner against Adelphi unassisted at the 84:29 mark in the Buckeyes’ 1-0 win. It was his fourth goal of the year.%^$
%^$Oct. 28, the Buckeyes trailed No. 5 St. John’s 2-0 at the half, but regrouped to upset the Red Storm, 3-2, in double overtime. Cook, the 2000 Big Ten Freshman of Year, led the charge in the comeback as he knocked in his fifth goal of the season 56:51 into the game to cut the deficit to one. He then assisted on Sammy Tamporello’s game-tying goal less than five minutes later.%^$
%^$The Buckeyes play their final home game at 7 p.m. Nov. 2 against rival Michigan. Before the game OSU will honor its three seniors. At 2 p.m. Nov. 4, the Buckeyes travel to Madison, Wis. to complete their Big Ten schedule against the Badgers. The Buckeyes then head back to Wisconsin for the Big Ten tournament Nov. 8-11.
