Gonzaga’s Austin Giftopoulos is WCC men’s soccer Player of the Week

Gonzaga sophomore defender Austin Giftopoulos was named the West Coast Conference men’s soccer Player of the Week, it was announced Monday.

Giftopoulos, who missed all but six games with a season-ending injury last year, scored a goal and added an assist in a 4-1 win over Illinois-Chicago on Sunday. That victory followed a 1-1 draw with Bradley on Friday in the Bulldogs’ season opener.

Against UIC, Giftopoulos made a cross to Ben White for a goal then later put home a cross from Sam Olson in what turned out to be the game-winning score. The goal and assist were each the first of his Gonzaga career.

Giftopoulos played all 200 minutes of Gonzaga’s two matches – 110 in the double-overtime draw with Bradley and 90 in the win over UIC.

Indoor football

The Spokane Empire has re-signed wide receiver Samuel Charles.

Last season he played in 13 games and had 37 receptions for 426 yards and 12 touchdowns. In the Empire’s two postseason games, five of his six receptions went for touchdowns.