Sperry, Stacy Sweep Big Ten Weekly Honors
10/6/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
PARK RIDGE, Ill. -- After playing a key role in two upset victories this past week, senior Jake Stacy(Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Central) and senior/junior Patrick Sperry(Hinsdale, Ill./Hinsdale Central) of the University of Michigan men's soccer team were named Big Ten Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week, respectively, the conference office announced on Monday (Oct. 6). It is the third weekly honor received for both players during their careers.
Stacy scored the game-winning tally in upset victories over No. 8 Notre Dame (Oct. 1) and No. 20 Indiana (Oct. 4). The pair of markers gives him 14 in his career -- moving him into fifth U-M career list -- and 47 points, good for fourth amongst Wolverines all-time. Stacy scored 78 seconds into a 1-0 road triumph over the Hoosiers three days after a goal in the 24th minute proved decisive in a 3-1 victory over the Fighting Irish. Stacy shares the team lead in goals (7) and points (17).
Sperry's steady goaltending helped guide the Maize and Blue to its first victories over both programs. He registered five saves as the Wolverines knocked off the Hoosiers, earning the 16th shutout of his career. Sperry is second on Michigan's career shutout list behind Peter Dzubay (2002-05) who recorded 19 in his career. He also posted three saves in goal to backstop the Maize and Blue to the upset victory over UND.
The announcement marks just the second time in program history that U-M claimed both awards in one week and the first time that the Wolverines earned a clean sweep of the awards. Kevin Robinson (2000, 2003-05) and Dzubay took both awards on Nov. 4, 2002, but Dzubay had to share the defensive laurel.
The Wolverines will open up the new U-M Soccer Complex on Sunday (Oct. 12) when they host Western Michigan. The match is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on the west practice field.
Contact: Ryan Sosin, Jeremy Reid (734) 763-4423
