Oct. 8, 2008

Center Valley, Pa.- American's Karsten Smith has been named an ECAC Co-Defensive Player of the Week for men's soccer for the week ending October 5, the organization announced Tuesday. Smith is the third Patriot League student-athlete to earn ECAC men's soccer honors this season.

Smith scored his third goal of the season, the game-tying goal, from center back in a 1-1 tie with Lafayette. The junior stepped out of the back line and fired a 30-yard strike to the upper 90 to score the equalizer. Smith led a defense that held Lafayette to one goal in American's first Patriot League game of the season.

The Eagles are now 3-5-2 overall and 0-0-1 in the Patriot League this season. American will host Navy on Saturday in Patriot League action.