Men's Soccer Southern Conference

Elon?s Nathan Dean Named SoCon Player of the Week

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Elon goalkeeper Nathan Dean has been named the Southern Conference’s men’s soccer player of the week for all matches Oct. 22-28. The selection is made by the league office.

Dean earned the final weekly award of the season with a pair of stellar performances in the net as the Phoenix went 2-0 and locked up at least a share of the SoCon regular-season title last week.

Against No. 13 Wake Forest on Tuesday, Dean made a pair of saves for his conference-best fifth shutout of the season, three of which have come against ranked teams.

Against rival UNCG on Saturday, the Liverpool, England, native made five stops, including a save on a penalty kick in the 81st minute, as the Phoenix prevailed 2-1 in double overtime. The win put Elon alone atop the league standings and guaranteed the Phoenix at least a share of the regular-season title, its second ever and first since 2008.

For the week, Dean made seven saves and turned in a 0.46 goals against average.

The award is the first of Dean’s career. He becomes the second Phoenix to win it this year, as teammate Chris Thomas took the award three times (Sept. 11, Sept. 25 and Oct. 9).

Dean also earned a spot on the College Soccer News National Team of the Week for his efforts.

Elon (12-4-1, 5-2-0 SoCon) begins defense of its Southern Conference Men’s Soccer Championship title against a yet-to-be determined opponent on Saturday at Rudd Field.

Also nominated: Kristian Lee-Him (Appalachian State), Michael Gandier (Furman), Thomas Valikonis (Georgia Southern) and Alex Hutchins (Wofford).


2012 SoCon Men’s Soccer Players of the Week
Aug. 28    Maximilian Schulz, UNCG
Sept. 4    Coleton Henning, Furman
Sept. 11    Chris Thomas, Elon
Sept. 18    Valeriy Sviderskiy, Davidson
Sept. 25    Chris Thomas, Elon
Oct. 2    Hakan Ilhan, UNCG
Oct. 9    Chris Thomas, Elon
Oct. 16    Carlos Dominguez Gonzalez, Wofford
Oct. 23    Sean de Silva, College of Charleston
Oct. 30    Nathan Dean, Elon
-www.SoConSports.com-