Oct. 9, 2002

AMHERST, Mass. - Jeff Deren (Chicopee, Mass.) and Gerard Washington (Columbia, S.C.) were named co-winners of the Dinn Brothers / UMass Athlete of the Week announced today.

Deren was named College Soccer News National Player of the Week and Atlantic 10 Player of the Week following a five-goal weekend. Deren, a senior forward, led the Minutemen to two impressive Atlantic 10 victories over the weekend. On Friday, Deren scored the game-winning goal midway through the first half, in helping UMass to a 2-0 win over Xavier in the A-10 opener. Deren then broke out on Sunday with a four-goal performance in a 5-2 win over Dayton. The senior scored a goal in the first half, then added three more in a span of 10 minutes of the second half to score his first career hat trick and become only the eighth player in school history to notch four goals in a game. Deren is this year's first two-time winner of the Dinn Brothers / UMass Athlete of the Week award.

Washington started for the first time in his collegiate career on Saturday, a 34-13 win over Richmond, and led the team with 12 total tackles on the afternoon, including eight solo stops, two tackles for loss and a sack for 14 yards. He also recorded the first interception of his career, and made one pass breakup. For the season, Washington has now totaled 22 total tackles through five games, with five tackles for loss. For his efforts, Washington was named Atlantic 10 Conference Rookie of the Week.

DINN BROTHERS / UMASS ATHLETE OF THE WEEK:

• Sept. 4 - Jeff Deren (Men's Soccer)
• Sept. 11 - Jason Peebler (Football)
• Sept. 18 - Stephanie Price (Women's Tennis)
• Sept. 25 - Lindsey Bellini (Women's Soccer)
• Oct. 2 - Derek Rhodes (Men's Soccer)
• Oct. 9 - Jeff Deren (Men's Soccer) and Gerard Washington (Football)