NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – VCU Men's Soccer freshman midfielder Damian Gallegos was named Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week, the league announced Monday afternoon.
 
Gallegos scored the double overtime game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory over La Salle on Oct. 2. He collected a side-footed pass from Celio Pompeu, took a controlling touch, then fired a right-footed shot off the inside of the left post and in. It was the third goal of the season for Gallegos, tied for the team lead. He's also tied for the VCU lead with nine points on the season. The tally was his first career game-winning goal.
 
This is the second Rookie of the Week honor for Gallegos, who also earned the award on Aug. 30.
 
The Rams, who hold a 6-3-1 overall record and a 2-1-0 mark in A-10 play, have won two straight conference matches and are currently tied for third in the A-10 standings. VCU is receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches poll.
 
VCU has a pair of home matches against the top two teams in the A-10 standings this week, hosting Duquesne (second in the A-10 at 2-0-1) on Wednesday, Oct. 6 and No. 15/21 Saint Louis (top of the A-10 table at 3-0-0) on Saturday, Oct. 9. Both matches kick off at 7 p.m. from Sports Backers Stadium and will be broadcast on ESPN+. For more information on VCU Men's Soccer tickets, click here.