Ruffing and Killian Named Men's Soccer Players of the Week
Empire 8 Men’s Soccer Player of the Week awards were handed out for the Week of Oct. 15-21. Student-athletes from Utica College and Stevens Institute of Technology claimed this week’s honors.
Sophomore Shane Ruffing of the Utica College men's soccer team was named the Empire 8 Conference Offensive Player of the Week after posting an impressive six points in the Pioneers 7-0 shutout win over Alfred in conference play at home on Saturday.
Ruffing tallied a career-high six points on two goals and two assists in the win over the Saxons. His six points in a single-game tied for third all-time at Utica. Heading into the contest Ruffing had just one goal all season.
Utica (7-7-1, 2-3 Empire 8), which has won three in a row, needs a win or a tie against Elmira on the road Saturday to earn the No. 4 playoff seed in the Empire 8 Conference Tournament. If the Pioneers advance, they will be making their fourth appearance in the conference tournament in the last six years. The last time UC made the conference tournament was in 2010.
Junior Paul Killian of Stevens Institute of Technology was named the Empire 8 Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week as the Ducks clinched the regular season conference title after posting their fourth-straight shutout on Sunday. It is his second weekly honor of the year.
The Old Line State native has not allowed a goal over the last 382 minutes and 48 seconds of game play. Killian is also among the latest statistical leaders in the NCAA, ranking eighth in save percentage and 14th in goals-against average as of last week. Both numbers only improved this past week, and his rankings should be improved when the new national rankings are released on Tuesday.
Stevens has now won 12-straight matches and is currently ranked No. 7 in the nation. The Ducks will return to action on Saturday at Ithaca College in the final game of the 2012 regular season.