Seattle University's star shotstopper

With just a couple of weeks remaining in the collegiate soccer regular season, Seattle University junior goalkeeper Emerson DeOliveira (Normandy Park, Wash.) has the lowest goals against average among all goalies in both Division I and Division II, according to the statistical rankings released by the NCAA Tuesday, Nov. 4.DeOliveira has given up only two goals in just over 623 minutes of action for a 0.289 goals against average. Because Seattle University is still eligible for Division II statistical titles in men's soccer, he is at the top of that official list. DeOliveira has a lower goals against average than the official Division I leader, Brian Holt of Creighton (0.299 GAA). The only goalie in NCAA competition who has a lower goals against average than DeOliveira is Kyle Marks from York College of Pennsylvania, who leads Division III with a 0.158 goals against average.

Transferring from the University of San Francisco in 2007, DeOliveira has four shutouts this season, including 1-0 victories over Horizon League school Cleveland State and West Coast Conference foe Portland. He was also in net for one-goal victories over Florida Gulf Coast and Simon Fraser as well as the scoreless tie with Concordia University of California. DeOliveira has a season-high of five saves, achieved in the 1-0 wins over Cleveland State and Simon Fraser.

Now in his second season at Seattle University, DeOliveira has accumulated a 13-2-2 record with a 0.47 goals against average and an .849 save percentage. He has given up only eight goals in 17 matches played with nine shutouts, allowing more than one goal only once during his time with the Redhawks. Last season he earned second team All-GNAC recognition by the conference coaches.

"Emerson DeOliveira has been excellent for us this season. I think his presence and ability to read the game has really helped him this year. He has taken a real step forward this season, and we are excited to see him continue to develop for next year's challenging schedule," head coach Brad Agoos said.

DeOliveira and the rest of the men's soccer team heads to California for the conclusion of the 2008 season, first facing Cal State Bakersfield Friday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m. before taking on Fresno Pacific Monday, Nov. 10, at 1 p.m. The squad goes into the weekend with a 9-3-1 record, clinching the program's eighth straight winning season.From GoSeattleU.com