It was a rather calm week for SXU soccer as the men’s team had no games scheduled over the past week. On the other hand, the women’s team only had one game scheduled which ended with a 2-0 defeat away to the University of Saint Francis (Ind.).Despite the lack of games, Saint Xavier had two of their own honored by the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC). The players in question were men’s goalkeeper, Frank Valle and women’s goalkeeper, Carly Bledsoe.
Frank Valle (McHenry, Ill.) was named CCAC’s Defensive Player of the Week for the seven day stretch ending Sept. 10. When looking at his stats, the award is well deserved. During that seven day stretch, Valle currently a senior, recorded five saves in a 2-0 win over Cornerstone University. He added another four saves in Saint Xavier’s double overtime loss to National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics’ (NAIA) No. (7) ranked University of Northwestern Ohio. Overall, Valle’s stats are impressive. He’s played all six of Saint Xavier’s games playing close to 556 minutes allowing a total of six goals resulting in an average of 0.96 goals against. Valle has made a total of 34 saves resulting in an .850 save percentage.
Along with those numbers, Valle has been able to record three clean sheets against Shawnee State University, Lindenwood University – Belleville, and Cornerstone University, respectively. His save percentage as well as three shutouts top the league. His 34 saves rank him ninth in the NAIA. Valle’s saves have been crucial for Saint Xavier and have allowed the team to keep their .500 record at 3-3-0 (3W, 3L, 0D). Needless to say, the accolade is well earned.
Over on the women’s side, their goalkeeper has also been awarded with player of the week honors. Junior goslkeeper, Carly Bledsoe, (Franklin, Tenn.) has been named CCAC’s Defensive Player of the Week. Her performance against Lourdes University helped her earn the distinction. Against Lourdes, Bledsoe, junior, tied her career-high in saves with 12 in a double-overtime draw. It was her first shutout of the season. Bledsoe has played three out of the six games Saint Xavier has played totaling 290 minutes. She’s allowed four goal resulting in an average of 1.24 goals allowed. She’s made a total of 32 saves and has a percentage of .889 which ranks second in the CCAC. Bledsoe also ranks eighth in the NAIA with an average of 10.7 saves per game. She’s defintely been busy in all her matches. This is Bledsoe’s first time receiving Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Valle, on the other hand, is now a two-time recipient of Defensive Player of the Week after earning one back in 2015. Valle can now add this award alongside to being named All-CCAC First Team distinction from 2016. Valle and the men’s team resume their season with conference play on September 19, on the road, against Holy Cross College. Currently, Saint Xavier are tied for fourth in the standings with the University of Saint Francis (Ill.). Bledsoe and her team also begin conference play, but on September 20 against the aforementioned Holy Cross College. Bledsoe and Saint Xavier will be looking for their first win of the season.
Ernesto Hernandez
Sports Columist