Leonard & Natalino Named UAA Athletes of the Week

Emory University sophomores Kaele Leonard and Andrew Natalino were named the University Athletic Association's (UAA) Defensive Athletes of the Week, for women's and men's soccer respectively.

Leonard earned the victory as goalkeeper in all three of the 21st-ranked Eagles' games during the season-opening week, including a pair against teams then-ranked in the top-five. Entering in the second half against Lee University, the top-ranked team in the NAIA and reigning National Champion squad, Leonard played over 45 minutes of shutout soccer, making three saves en route to a 2-1 Emory win. She was also the goalkeeper of record in Emory's 2-1 overtime win over fourth-ranked Lynchburg College, playing and not allowing a goal second half and the first overtime period, while making two saves. Leonard also shut out Roanoke College, making a save in 45 minutes to earn the victory. Appearing in the first collegiate games of her career, Leonard has not allowed a goal in 142:11, converting six saves and going 3-0-0.

Meanwhile, Natalino was named the Most Valuable Player of the Sonny Carter Invitational, helping the Eagles to a tournament victory and two shutouts during the season-opening week. Playing all 270 minutes of Emory soccer during the week, Natalino led an Emory defense that gave up just one goal in three contests, while allowing just 15 shots on goal. On Saturday, the sophomore helped the Eagles to a 3-1 victory over Illinois Wesleyan University, scoring his first goal of the season, and holding the Titans to just 10 shots, only six of which were on goal. Earlier in the week, Natalino and the Emory backfield held Covenant College to just eight shots, only four of which were on goal, en route to a 2-0 shutout win.

Leonard and Natalino have each helped their teams to 3-0-0 starts. The Emory women's soccer team will head to Fredericksburg, VA for the University of Mary Washington Soccer Classic this weekend, where the squad will face Bridgewater College and 12th-ranked Rowan University. The men's team will take part in the Shellenberger Memorial Classic at Lynchburg, VA this weekend, where they will take on Randolph College and Lynchburg College.