ALFRED, NY -- In a feat not easily accomplished, Sammy Jo Shanahan (Valley Stream, NY/Valley Stream South) and Lexi Riffelbach (Clifton Park, NY/Catholic Central) of the Alfred University women's soccer team swept the Empire 8 Athletic Conference weekly honors as the Defensive and Offensive Athletes of the Week, respectively, on Monday afternoon.

Senior Shanahan picked up two shutout wins on the week as the Saxons were undefeated. She was vital in the Saxons' double-overtime win over St. John Fisher College on the road in Empire 8 action. Shanahan faced a total of 27 shots with 20 of the Cardinal shots being on goal and she stopped every single one of them to tie her career-best mark. The win over Fisher was the first since 1999.

Sophomore Riffelbach scored two goals on the week to help the Saxons go 2-0. Her first goal was against SUNY Canton to extend the Saxon lead to 2-0 over the visiting Roos. Then, in Empire 8 action, she scored the game's only goal in double overtime against St. John Fisher College on the road. It was the first win against the Cardinals since 1999. Her goal came after junior teammate Emily Wright (Dallas, TX/Plano West) took a shot on goal in which the Fisher goalie stopped it but the ball deflected towards Riffelbach who tucked it away for the win.

Shanahan and Riffelbach, along with the rest of the Saxons, will next host their final two games of the season. On Tuesday, October 24 at 7 pm, the Saxons take on Nazareth College in Empire 8 action. Then on Saturday, October 28 at 5 pm, they host Utica College in a match that is also critical in terms of the Saxons making the Empire 8 Tournament for the first time in school history.