WALTHAM, Mass. – Brandeis University junior Michelle Savuto of Ridgewood, N.J, has been selected as the University Athletic Association (UAA) Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week for Oct. 14.

Savuto, a goalkeeper, was perfect in net, making seven saves in two contests. Against Eastern Nazarene last Tuesday she had four stops, as the Lions were shut out for just the second time on the season. She made three more saves against Rochester at the Brandeis homecoming on Saturday, helping the team earn a point during a back-and-forth goalless draw. Savuto made several huge stops against the Yellowjackets, helping the Judges keep a clean sheet despite four-straight Rochester corners during the first overtime period.

After splitting time in net during her first two seasons, Savuto has eight shutouts this season, two more than any other keeper in the UAA. The Judges as a team have not allowed a goal in nine of their 12 games, tied for seventh in Division III. Savuto's 40 saves are good for second in the conference, and her 0.77 goals-against average is one of the best marks in the country as well. This was the third UAA Defensive Player of the Week honor for her career.

Overall this season under head coach Denise Dallamora, who is in her 34th season, the Judges are 9-2-1. Brandeis is currently second in the UAA, and has been ranked as high as No. 8 nationally in Division III by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). The Judges are on the road against two nationally ranked teams this weekend, taking on the 17th-ranked Carnegie Mellon Tartans on Friday before traveling to Atlanta to face the No. 7 Emory Eagles on Sunday.

Savuto is a 2011 graduate of Ridgewood High School. She is the daughter of Paul and Deborah Savuto, Ridgewood, N.J.