EDISON, N.J. - After helping the Purple Eagles men's soccer team to a 1-0 victory at Quinnipiac on Sept. 25, Niagara goalkeeper Steve Casey was named the Defensive Player of the Week by the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) on Monday. This is the second weekly award for a Purple Eagle this season, after Mackenzie Roach earned Rookie of the Week honors on Aug. 29.

Casey picked up his second win of the 2016 season on Sunday, making five saves as the Purple Eagles scored in the 96th minute to defeat the Bobcats. Casey tied a season-high with five saves in the match. The clean sheet was Casey's third of the season and fifth in 19 career matches played for Niagara. The redshirt sophomore is now 2-4-1 this year with a 1.10 goals-against average and .750 save percentage. Casey's play has been a leading factor for Niagara, who ranks fourth in the MAAC in scoring defense this season.

The Purple Eagles resume match play at Rider on Oct. 1. After that, the team plays two straight games at Niagara Field, hosting Siena at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 5 before welcoming Monmouth for an Alumni Weeekend matchup on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 1 p.m.

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