ALFRED, NY – Derek Alexei Rodriguez (Panama Oeste, Panama/Colegio San Gabriel de le Delarosa) of the Alfred University men's soccer team was named the Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Week on Monday.
 
Rodriguez had a stellar week offensively for the Saxons, who went 1-0-1. Playing out of position, the defender scored two goals in two games. He scored both goals in a spirited, come-from-behind draw against Houghton University on Wednesday, which included a penalty kick. In a 3-1 win over St. John Fisher on Saturday, he put up more offensive help with two shots and one on target to help force the Cardinals back.
 
Rodriguez was joined in the Empire 8 Weekly Honors by Becca Epping (Mitchell, IN/Bedford North Lawrence) as the Women's Tennis Player of the Week and Martin Flanders Jr (Schuylerville, NY/Schuylerville) as the Football Defensive Player of the Week.