UNBC Athletics, in conjunction with the Canada West conference are thrilled to announce that third-year midfielder Mehdi Bounaaja (Langley, B.C.) has earned Canada West BioSteel Men's Soccer Athlete of the Week Honours (Oct. 23-25) after his historic Sunday performance at Masich Place Stadium against UBCO. He becomes the first Men's Soccer Player to capture Player of the Week honours since Michael Henman in September, 2023.
 
On Sunday afternoon, Bounaaja factored in on all six UNBC goals in a 6-0 victory over the Heat. Bounaaja's stat line showed two goals and four assists which set a new single-game Canada West scoring record. The six goals scored by UNBC in a single-game also mark a new program single-game record.
 
Thanks to his six-point effort Sunday, Bounaaja's 2026 season stat line ended with four goals and eight assists which ranked him first on the team. His eight assists are also a new Timberwolves single-season record. 
 
In 41 career games in Green and Gold, Bounaaja has now posted six goals and 11 assists for 17 points, which ties him for fourth in program history. His 11 assists rank place him second, three back of Tofa Funkunle for the program's all-time assists record.
 
Bounaaja has two remaining years of eligibility.
 
UNBC Athletics would like to congratulate Mehdi on his historic achievement and for capturing Player of the Week honours.