Emory University freshman Clare Mullins and
sophomore Andrew Natalino were named the
University Athletic Association (UAA) Women's and Men's
Soccer Athlete of the Week, respectively, for their defensive
efforts during the teams' matches last week.
Mullins helped the Eagles hold their opponents to just one goal on
11 shots during two games last week, while scoring two goals of her
own and assisting on three others. On Wednesday, Mullins and
the Emory defense held Agnes Scott College to just two shots,
neither of which was on goal, during a 7-0 win. She also
scored the first two goals of the contest and assisted on another,
giving the freshman the first points of her collegiate
career. Mullins followed that performance by helping to hold
Maryville College to just one goal on nine shots (eight on goal)
during a 3-1 victory on Sunday, while also assisting on a pair of
goals during the contest.
She has started all nine games during her inaugural campaign with
Emory, helping the Eagles defense record a 0.14 goals-against
average and allow just 3.7 shots on goal per game. In
addition, she ranks third on the team this season with seven points
on two goals and three assists.
Mullins becomes the third member of the Emory women's soccer
team to receive the UAA's defensive honor this season,
joining goalkeeper Kaele Leonard and midfielder
Lee Bachouros. Mullins performance has
helped the Eagles to an 8-0-1 start to the season.
Natalino and the Eagles' defense set a program record for
consecutive shutouts last week. On Wednesday, Natalino played
the first 71:32 of the Eagles' 5-0 win over Piedmont, holding
one of the nation's top-performing offenses this season to
just four shots, three of which were on goal. In addition, he
scored the game-winning goal in the 23rd minute of the
contest. On Saturday, during a 9-0 win over Greensboro
College, Natalino held the Pride to just two shots (only one of
which was on goal), while scoring a goal and adding on an assist
over his 61 minutes played.
His defensive efforts this season have helped the Eagles to a
program-record seven consecutive shutouts and a 0.11 goals against
average (one goal allowed in nine games). Offensively, he has
contributed with a team-best five goals (including three game
winners) and three assists for 13 points.
This is the second time Natalino has been named the UAA's
Athlete of the Week for men's soccer, and along with
Trenton Spindler and Nathan McKeever, an Emory player has earned the honor in each of
the four weeks it has been awarded this
season. Natalino has led the Eagles to a
9-0-0 start to the season.
The Emory men's and women's teams also rose in the latest
rankings. The men's squad is now ranked ninth (from 10th last
week) in the latest NSCAA poll and 12th (from 15th) in the
D3Soccer.com poll. The women's team rose from 17th to 14th in
this week's NSCAA poll, and from 15th to 14th in the D3Soccer.com
poll.
Both Emory squads will return to action on Sunday, kicking off
their conference schedules against UAA-rival Washington University
(Mo.) in St. Louis.