Netminder Savuto named UAA player of the week

She has allowed just one goal in the first eight games of season

For the first time in her career, goalkeeper Michelle Savuto ‘15 has been selected as the University Athletic Association women’s soccer Defensive Player of the Week.

Savuto splits time in net with Francine Kofinas ‘13. The duo led Brandeis to a pair of 1-0 victories last week, defeating Gordon College on Sept. 18 and Bates College on Sept. 21. Kofinas earned the win in both games, as the Judges scored first-half goals, but Savuto had the lion’s share of Brandeis’ saves. She made three stops in the second half at home against Gordon and four more against Bates on the road as the Judges improved to 7-1.

Savuto stopped 18 of the 19 shots she faced for a .950 save percentage after the first eight games of the season. That ranked her ninth among all Division III players who had played in half of their team’s contests. Her 0.25 goals-against average was tied with Kofinas’ and one other for 12th in Division III. The Judges’ team goals-against average of 0.25 was ninth in the division; their 0.86 shutout percentage was fourth and their 0.938 save percentage was seventh.

The Judges won yet another 1-0 contest Monday night at Wellesley.

Now 8-1 overall this season, in head coach Denise Dallamora’s 34th campaign, Brandeis is off to its third-best start after nine games in program history, trailing only an 8-0-1 start in 2004 and a 9-0 beginning to 2003. The Judges moved up to 20th in the country in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Division III poll, which was released today. The men's team moved up to 10th in the men's Division III rankings.

Savuto shared her UAA honor with Emory defender Lauren Gorodetsky.

For more information about Brandeis women’s soccer, go to the website.