Elon Men’s Soccer – Dean Named SoCon’s Player of the Week

SPARTANBURG, S.C – Elon sophomore goalkeeper Nathan Dean was named the Southern Conference’s Player of the Week the conference announced on Tuesday morning. Dean helped the Phoenix go undefeated last week, including a shutout of then 13th-ranked Wake Forest last Tuesday, Oct. 23.

This is the second weekly award for the Liverpool, England, native who earned a spot on the College Soccer News National Team of the Week on Monday, Oct. 29. It is the first SoCon weekly honor for Dean.

Dean helped anchored the maroon and gold’s defense last week, going 2-0 against Wake Forest and UNCG. He made two saves in the match against the Demon Deacons as Elon won, 1-0. It was the fifth clean sheet of the year for the Phoenix and third against ranked competition.

On Saturday, Oct. 27, at UNCG, Dean corralled the ball five more times in the Phoenix’s 2-1 double overtime victory over the Spartans. Dean made a key diving stop on a penalty kick in the 80th minute to preserve a 1-1 tie before Elon prevailed with the golden goal late in the second overtime. The win clinched a share of the SoCon regular season title for the Phoenix, its first since 2008.

Dean has played every minute between the posts for Elon this season and leads the SoCon in shutouts. He is also second in the league in saves with 63.

Elon will return to the pitch tonight for its final regular season home match against Duke with kickoff starting at 7 p.m.