PITMAN, N.J. — The New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) announced its award winners for the week of October 10-16 and one New Jersey City University student-athlete was recognized. For the second time in his career and first time this season, senior goalkeeper Nick Linebaugh (Linden, N.J./St. Benedict's Prep) of the NJCU men's soccer program was named Defensive Player of the Week following his two stellar-shutout performances last week.

Linebaugh continued to dominate competition in the NJAC as he led the Gothic Knights to a 2-0 record last week and their best start in conference play since the 2008 season. He played the full 180:00 minutes, making 15 saves and notching two shutouts – the sixth of his season and third NJAC clean sheet of his career. He started off with five saves in the 3-0 win over William Paterson University at home on Wednesday, Oct. 12, for NJCU's first win over the Pioneers since 2013. Then, in the 2-0 win over Stockton University on Saturday, Oct. 15 – the squad's first over the Ospreys since 2012 – Linebaugh stood on his head with his third double-digit save performance of the season, turning away 10 shots for another shutout. He leads the NJAC in shutouts and total saves and is second in GAA and saves/game.

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He and the rest of the Green and Gold return to the pitch on Wednesday, Oct. 19, for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff in Union, N.J., against Kean University. The Gothic Knights are in search of their first win over the Cougars since 2013, but they are currently on a roll in NJAC play, undefeated in their last three and winners of two straight.