WALESKA, Ga. – Bluefield University freshman midfielder Leo Bascope has been named the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Men's Soccer Player of the Week following an impressive collegiate debut for the Rams.

Bascope, a native of Herndon, Va., becomes the first Bluefield men's soccer player to earn the conference's Player of the Week honor since Jake Mendoza received the award in 2022.

Bascope made an immediate impact in Friday's season-opening victory over Alice Lloyd, recording a hat trick in his first collegiate appearance. The freshman found the back of the net in the second minute to give the Rams an early advantage before adding goals in the 58th and 61st minutes. All three of Bascope's goals came unassisted.

With the performance, Bascope became the first Bluefield player to record a hat trick since Adan Chavez accomplished the feat against Washington Adventist last fall. Like Bascope, Chavez was a freshman when he recorded his three-goal performance for the Rams.

The Player of the Week honor caps an impressive collegiate debut for Bascope, who helped the Rams open the 2026 season with a victory.

The Rams return to action Tuesday when they travel to Greensboro College for a 6 p.m. kickoff.