WALTHAM, Mass. – Brandeis University juniors Sapir Edalati of Great Neck, N.Y., and Michelle Savuto of Ridgewood, N.J, have been selected as University Athletic Association (UAA) Women's Soccer Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, for Sept. 16.
Edalati, a forward, was named the UAA Women's Offensive Player of the Week for the second week in a row after scoring three goals in a pair of victories. In a mid-week contest on Sept. 10, Edalati scored twice in a 10-minute span early in the second half as the Judges defeated Bridgewater State University, 3-0. Her first goal was her second game-winner of the season and the fourth of her career. On Sunday, Sept. 15, Edalati added an insurance goal in the 54th minute as the Judges defeated Bates College to improve to 5-0 on the season. Edalati leads Brandeis with six goals and 13 points, ranking second and third in the UAA, respectively. She has scored goals in four straight contests.
Savuto, a goalkeeper, was perfect in net, making 14 saves in the two contests. Against Bridgewater State, she had a career-high nine stops, six coming in the scoreless first half. She made five more saves against Bates on Sunday, giving her 25 total on the season. After splitting time in net during her first two seasons, Savuto has four shutouts and a 0.44 goals-against average in 2013, both second-best in the UAA. Her 25 saves and .926 save percentage are also second in the conference, while her 5.00 saves-per-game average leads the circuit. This was the second UAA Defensive Player of the Week honor for her career.
Overall this season, the 5-0 Judges are ranked No. 1 in New England and No. 8 nationally in Division III by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), matching their highest-ranking ever under head coach Denise Dallamora, who is in her 34th season. The Judges travel to Gordon College on Sept. 18 for a 4:00 p.m. match.
Edalati is a 2011 graduate of Great Neck South High School. She is the daughter of Sami and Sara Edalati, Roslyn, N.Y.
Savuto is a 2011 graduate of Ridgewood High School. She is the daughter of Paul and Deborah Savuto, Ridgewood, N.J.