By: Jeff Evans, Assistant AD for Athletic Communications
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Western Washington University senior
Joar Tidblom earned the GNAC Men's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week award following his hat trick in Friday's 3-0 win over Dallas Baptist.
Tidblom, a senior from Norrkoping, Sweden, scored all three goals in the Vikings shutout victory to cap a 2-0 week against St. Edward's and DBU.
Featured in a new-look formation playing in the midfield rather than his normal defender position, Tidblom scored on three set pieces to secure the first hat trick by a Viking since Gilbert De La Luz four years ago at Saint Martin's. It was just the third hat trick by a WWU men's soccer player since 2015. He scored on a header off a free kick in the 9th minute, off a direct free kick in the 35th minute and put the game away converting a penalty in the 85th minute.
Playing in his 60th career game as a Viking, Tidblom nearly doubled his career goal output entering the season with four goals. He is the first Viking to win a GNAC Player of the Week award this season.
"Joar was very instrumental in helping us get the two wins last week. His play on both sides of the ball and his leadership are improving every day," said WWU head coach
Greg Brisbon. "It was great to see him get those three goals on Friday, as he is becoming more of an influence on the attacking part of the game for our team."
WWU (2-4-2) carries a two-game winning streak into the opening of conference play this week hosting Saint Martin's on Thursday and Western Oregon on Saturday in 7 pm contests at Harrington Field. The complete 2025 schedule can be viewed online via
wwuvikings.com/25_MSOC.
