Marshall University Athletics
Pita Named Conference USA Men’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
10/15/2018 4:01:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Redshirt junior keeper recorded 19 saves over the last week
IRVING, Texas – Redshirt junior goalkeeper Paulo Pita was named the Conference USA Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday.
Pita recorded 19 saves and allowed just one goal over the past two matches, including 14 against the fifth ranked team in the country the Kentucky Wildcats.
"It's great to see one of our players recognized," Herd head coach Chris Grassie said. "Paulo has played really well in the last few matches, but I think he would be the first to say, that as a goalkeeper, your teammates in front of you help you so much in keeping the ball out of the net.
"Some of the saves he made against UK were world class. That's one of the reasons we brought him into our team, because I know he is capable of those get you out of jail type saves."
The Santos, Sao Paulo, Brazil, native began the week with a shutout over Purdue Fort Wayne. Pita recorded five saves in the Herd's 3-0 victory, his third clean sheet of the season.
Next came the match with No. 5 Kentucky as Pita displayed the skills that made him a national champion at the University of Charleston and have helped make his transition to Division I. Pita made five saves in the first half and kept Marshall in the contest as the teams went in at halftime in a scoreless tie.
The Wildcats increased the pressure in the second half, and Pita was up to the task. He made eight more saves in the second stanza as he was everywhere and continued to keep Marshall in the match. He made a few diving and kick saves with just enough touch to keep the ball away from the net, helping to push the match into double overtime.
Pita finished the week with a save percentage of .950 and a mere 0.53 goals against average.
For all of the latest information on the Marshall men's soccer team, follow the Herd on Twitter @HerdMSoccer, Facebook at Marshall University Soccer and on www.herdzone.com.
To follow all Thundering Herd sports and get live stats, schedules, and free live audio, download the Marshall Athletics App for iOS or Android!
Pita recorded 19 saves and allowed just one goal over the past two matches, including 14 against the fifth ranked team in the country the Kentucky Wildcats.
"It's great to see one of our players recognized," Herd head coach Chris Grassie said. "Paulo has played really well in the last few matches, but I think he would be the first to say, that as a goalkeeper, your teammates in front of you help you so much in keeping the ball out of the net.
"Some of the saves he made against UK were world class. That's one of the reasons we brought him into our team, because I know he is capable of those get you out of jail type saves."
The Santos, Sao Paulo, Brazil, native began the week with a shutout over Purdue Fort Wayne. Pita recorded five saves in the Herd's 3-0 victory, his third clean sheet of the season.
Next came the match with No. 5 Kentucky as Pita displayed the skills that made him a national champion at the University of Charleston and have helped make his transition to Division I. Pita made five saves in the first half and kept Marshall in the contest as the teams went in at halftime in a scoreless tie.
The Wildcats increased the pressure in the second half, and Pita was up to the task. He made eight more saves in the second stanza as he was everywhere and continued to keep Marshall in the match. He made a few diving and kick saves with just enough touch to keep the ball away from the net, helping to push the match into double overtime.
Pita finished the week with a save percentage of .950 and a mere 0.53 goals against average.
For all of the latest information on the Marshall men's soccer team, follow the Herd on Twitter @HerdMSoccer, Facebook at Marshall University Soccer and on www.herdzone.com.
To follow all Thundering Herd sports and get live stats, schedules, and free live audio, download the Marshall Athletics App for iOS or Android!
---HerdZone.com---
Players Mentioned
GK
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