MACON, Ga. – FGCU redshirt junior goalkeeper Nathan Ingham has been named the Atlantic Sun Conference Defensive Player of the Week after making five saves and shutting out USF, 2-0, Friday night at the FGCU Soccer Complex in the season opener for both teams.

Ingham (Keswick, Ontario/Keswick HS) made three saves in the first half and two more in the second to earn his second career Defensive Player of the Week honor. Ingham is the first FGCU player to win the league’s Defensive Player of the Week award since he won it on Nov. 5, 2012.

“I’m happy to see Nate win the first award of the year. He’s worked extremely hard all offseason, and after missing most of last year it’s extremely rewarding for him,” head coach Bob Butehorn said. “Friday was an all-around solid defensive effort from our guys, and I’d be remiss if I also didn’t acknowledge the great work our backline put forth in front of Nate all game.”

After starting four of the first five games last year, Ingham was forced to redshirt the remainder of the season with a concussion. The shutout was the 11th of his career as he recorded one his freshman year in 2011 and nine as a sophomore in 2012. Last year, FGCU didn’t record its first shutout until the non-conference finale eight games into the season.

USF – which has made seven straight NCAA Tournament appearances – was just the first of four opponents on FGCU’s non-conference schedule which participated in the NCAA Tournament last year. Highlighting the grueling slate are home matches against three of those four NCAA participants, including 2010 National Champion Akron and last year’s No. 2 overall seed Washington. The six other teams on the Eagles’ non-conference docket have made an astonishing 80 combined NCAA tournament appearances.

FGCU’s season-opening three-game homestand continues on Thursday when Ingham and his teammates take on Portland (1-0-1) at 7 p.m. A tradition-rich program, Portland has made 14 NCAA appearances, including six since 2001, and has reached the College Cup Semifinals twice.

Then on Saturday, the Eagles host Akron at 7 p.m. The Zips, who hold a 0-1 record after losing 1-0 at No. 5 New Mexico on Friday, have made 15 NCAA tournament appearances – including nine in a row – and were the national runner-up in 2009.

For 2014 men’s soccer ticket information, visit the Alico Arena Ticket Office, call 239-590-7145 or log on to FGCUAthletics.com/Tickets. For up-to-the minute information and a behind-the-scenes look at the program, follow on Twitter @FGCU_MSoccer and Instagram @FGCU_MSoccer.

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