ELMIRA, N.Y. – Elmira College men's soccer goalkeeper Juan Carlos Cruz Gandia has been named the Empire 8 Co-Defensive Player of the Week, announced by the conference office on Monday.

Gandia helped lead the defensive efforts for Elmira in their quarterfinal win against No. 6 seeded Nazareth. Gandia recorded six saves in goal to helped record the shutout for the Soaring Eagles. Two crucial saves came in the final ten minutes of play to help Elmira advance to the semifinals.

Gandia leads Elmira with 65 saves on the season in 1,170 minutes of play. He averages a .802 save percentage, holds an 8-2-3 record in goal, and recorded five shutouts.