FORT MYERS, Fla. – FGCU men’s soccer defender Rodrigo Saravia has been named as one of the top 100 players in the nation by Top Drawer Soccer. The junior is one of just two Atlantic Sun Conference players on the list, and it is the second individual recognition Saravia has garnered early in the season as he was tabbed the A-Sun Preseason Co-Player of the Year.

“It’s another great honor for Rodrigo and is especially well-deserved,” said head coach Bob Butehorn. “He’s worked hard all summer and he’s currently playing as well as he ever has. Rodrigo has had to battle through some nagging injuries early in the year, but he’s been an extremely important part of our good start to the season.”

Saravia (Guatemala City, Guatemala/College Internacional Montessori) checked in at No. 90 on the season’s first list, which will be updated throughout the year and includes sophomores, juniors and seniors. Lipscomb’s Omar Djabi is the lone other A-Sun member on the list, and he checked in at No. 88.

Saravia is a key member of FGCU’s central defense who started the Eagles’ season opener before sitting out their second contest against Portland. He returned to action as a second-half substitute Saturday night against 2010 National Champion Akron and helped secure a 1-1 tie with the 27-time NCAA Tournament participants.

The FGCU defense has allowed just one goal through the first three games of the season, pitching consecutive shutouts to open the year. The Green and Blue’s 0.29 goals against average is tied for 13th best in the country after two weekends of play, and their .67 shutout percentage is tied for the 15th best.

The 5-11 Saravia has helped guide FGCU to a 1-0-2 start to the season and on the verge of a top 25 national ranking. The four-time defending A-Sun champions are unbeaten through their first three games to start a season for the first time in program history, and have already defeated rival USF and tied two teams receiving votes in the NSCAA/Continental Tire College Rankings. The second poll of the year will be released Tuesday afternoon.

Saravia was named to the A-Sun All-Conference Second Team in 2013 after controlling the central pitch en route to helping FGCU allow just four goals in eight league matches. He tied for fifth on the team with two assists and finished fourth on the roster with 1,403 minutes played. He started each of the 16 games he appeared in and played a full 90 minutes in 13 matches.

FGCU now heads to the West Coast for a pair of matchups this weekend in California. The Green and Blue will face the University of San Francisco on Friday, Sept. 12, at 10 p.m. Eastern and Saint Mary’s College on Sunday, Sept. 14, at 3 p.m. Eastern.

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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