PORTLAND, Ore. - The GNAC announced the weekly award winners for the first week of the regular season on Monday, with Northwest Nazarene's Rylan McPherson earning the Men's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week honor.

McPherson kicked off his collegiate career with a notable performance in the Nighthawks' improbable 5-4 comeback win over Colorado Christian on Saturday. The freshman got the scoring started with his first career goal in the seventh minute of action, before NNU conceded four consecutive goals to fall behind 4-1 by the 52nd minute. After the Cougars built a seemingly insurmountable lead, McPherson tallied his second goal just 27 seconds later to spark life back into the Nighthawks. The key finish wound up kicking off a spree of four consecutive goals across the game's final 38 minutes, as NNU stormed back for its first triumph of the year.

NNU Head Coach James Williamson: "Rylan got his college career off to a strong start. He was consistently dangerous for us and played with the maturity of a more experienced player. In the moments we needed him, he was there and he delivered."

McPherson and the Nighthawks now return to Nampa for their regular season home opener this week, hosting Westminster on Thursday and Colorado Mesa on Saturday.