WALTHAM, Mass. – Brandeis University junior Joe Graffy of Concord, N.H., has been selected as the University Athletic Association (UAA) Defensive Player of the Week for men's soccer for Nov. 4.
Graffy, a goalkeeper, helped the Judges – who are ranked third in New England - record three-straight shutouts last week, including a vital win and draw against two UAA foes. On Nov. 3 against Chicago, Graffy was aggressive all game, coming off his line and directing the Brandeis defense to a 3-0 victory. Against Washington University in St. Louis on Nov. 1, Graffy tied a season- and career-high with seven stops, preserving a 0-0 draw for the Judges. The keeper was at his best during two tense, back-and-forth overtime sessions against the Bears, making three key stops. Graffy was up to the challenge against Mount Ida last Monday as well, stopping the only shot that came his way.
Graffy now has five shutouts on the season and has gone a career-best 327 minutes in a row without conceding a goal. He has a 1.05 goals against average, a .754 save percentage, and is third in the UAA in both saves and shutouts. It is Graffy's second UAA Athlete of the Week selection – he was also chosen the week of Sept. 10 for his work against MIT and Babson.
Overall, Brandeis is 13-4-1 under head coach Mike Coven, who is in his 41st season on the sidelines. The Judges close out the regular season against NYU on Saturday at Gordon Field.
Graffy is a 2011 graduate of Concord High School. He is the son of Robert Graffy and Paula Hurley, Concord, N.H.