ALFRED, NY – Two men's soccer Saxons found spots on the Empire 8 Weekly Awards as Matthew Osmundson (Draper, UT/Juan Diego Catholic) earned Defensive Player of the Week and Chase Freeland (Hornell, NY/Hornell) was named a Co-Offensive Player of the Week on Monday afternoon, in an announcement by Associate Commissioner, Joe Venniro.
 
In a must-win matchup, Osmundson and his defense faced 23 shots with eight on goal. The junior transfer made all eight saves for the 2-0 shutout win over the Pioneers of Utica University. Utica held the advantage in corner kicks, 8-2, as Osmundson led the defense that erased all eight opportunities for the Pioneers.
 
Freeland, after a surprise visit from his sister, serving in the United States Airforce, for Senior Day, scored the only two goals of the day in the crucial win over Utica University. His first shot was a low, hard hit shot from just beyond the 18-yard box, finding the bottom left corner of the net for what would ultimately be the game-winning goal. His second goal was from 43 yards out, chipping the ball forward and over the outstretched hand of the Pioneer keeper. Freeland only fired two shots the entire game and had the only shots on goal for the Saxons.
 
The two were joined in the Empire 8 listings by Kiani Barnard-Pratt (Westford, MA/Westford Academy) as the Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week and William LaMastus (Maumee, OH/Anthony Wayne) as the Men's Swimming & Diving Athlete of the Week.