Feb. 27, 2012
CENTER VALLEY, Pa. - Navy senior RJ Wickham (Penn Yan, N.Y.) received Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Week honors on Monday following his 12-save performance against North Carolina on Saturday which catapulted him into ninth on the Mids' all-time saves list. In addition to Wickham, Holy Cross' James Kennedy (offense), Army's Tim Henderson (defense) and Bucknell's David Dickson (rookie) were among those players recognized by the conference office as players of the week at their respective positions.
Wickham had one of his best days in goal on Saturday where he faced the nation's most potent offensive units that came into the game averaging 17.3 goals per contest. Although he came into the game having made just 12 saves in his first-two appearances of the year, he came up big for the Midshipmen against the Tar Heels. The third-year starter had a solid game against North Carolina a year ago, making 14 stops, and came up strong once again in Saturday's contest where he made a season-high 12 saves.
The defense as a whole played well and held the Tar Heels well below their 17-goal average, keeping UNC under 10 goals for the first time this season.
Meanwhile, Wickham moved past 1990 graduate Louis Brown (355) on Navy's all-time saves list, pushing his total to 362. He now chases 2004 Kelly Award winner and two-time Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year Matt Russell, who amassed 380 saves from 2003-06 and stands eighth.
Wickham is one of only four Navy goalkeepers to garner the Patriot League's weekly award and in terms of player-of-the-week recognition, he is the most decorated Navy goalkeeper having received the honor six times over his career.
The Midshipmen return to action on Saturday when they play host to Bucknell in both teams' Patriot League opener. Faceoff is set for 12:00 pm at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Fans unable to make it out to the game can tune in via Navy All-Access (subscription) or catch the action on WNAV 1430 AM/99.9 FM with Peter Medhurst calling the action.
### Go Navy ###
