Matt Nance Named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week

NEW YORK – Junior Matt Nance was named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week on Monday after helping XU to a 1-0-1 week by contributing to a team shutout and recording five points. Sophomore Colin Hanley also made an appearance on the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll after posting a 0.55 GAA last week.

The Washington, Mich. native scored goals in both of Xavier's matches, a 3-0 win over Belmont and a 2-2 draw against Villanova, leading the Musketeers with five points (2 G, 1 A).

Defensively, he was part of a fifth shutout for XU on Tuesday as the team limited Belmont to just one shot in a 3-0 win. On Saturday, Nance was also part of a defensive effort that limited 'Nova under its season shot average in a 2-2 double overtime match.

Overall, XU now has five shutouts in its past seven matches.

Nance, who had never scored a goal prior to this season, is now tied for third on the team with nine points in 2016 (3 G, 3 A).

Hanley split a shutout with senior Jake Ciricillo on Tuesday, making one save on the only shot attempt of the night for Belmont.

XU is back in action on Tuesday, Oct. 18 in a home match against SIU Edwardsville. First touch is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET at XU Soccer Complex.

AMONG THE NATION'S ELITE

· Xavier men's soccer has reached the NCAA Tournament in four of the last six seasons.
· The Musketeers finished 2015 at 12-6-1 overall, marking a sixth straight season with at least 10 wins – one of just 12 programs that can claim the feat.
· Last fall also marked Xavier's third straight finish in the top-four of the BIG EAST.
· XU was ranked in the nation's top-10 by the NSCAA for the third time in four years, while knocking of the national No. 1 (Creighton) and No. 2 (Notre Dame) on the road last season. The Musketeers are widely believed to be the first program to ever knock off both a No. 1 and a No. 2 on the road in the same season.

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