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Owen Rutledge - POTW

Men's Soccer

Owen Rutledge Honored with GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week

The defender played every minute this weekend, aiding the 'Cats to its second clean sheet of 2025 and one goal against in two games

MARQUETTE, Mich. - After a strong weekend on the road against two tough regional opponents, Owen Rutledge has been named the GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week, as announced by the conference.

The Wildcats faced off against two formidable teams - reigning GLVC Regular Season and Tournament Champion Lewis, and recent NCAA Final Four participant Lake Erie. Rutledge and the NMU defense held Lewis, the sixth-ranked team in the region, to a scoreless draw, and followed that up with a 1-1 tie against eighth-ranked Lake Erie.

A staple in the Wildcat starting lineup, Rutledge has started every match this season and has played all but seven minutes. He logged the full 90 minutes in both games over the weekend.

In the first matchup, Rutledge helped lead the defense to shut out Lewis - marking the first time the Flyers had been held scoreless in their last nine games, dating back to a 1-0 loss to Maryville last season. Against Lake Erie, Rutledge anchored a defensive effort that limited the Storm to just two shot attempts over the first 84 minutes, and only four total in the match - their lowest single-game shot total in 11 matches, also dating back to last season.

"Very proud of Owen and the rest of the defense on their performance this weekend, allowing only one goal in two games on the road against the No. 6 (Lewis) and No. 8 (Lake Erie) teams in the region," said head coach Alex Fatovic. "Owen has made an instant impact since joining this fall and has only gotten better each game. Defensive Player of the Week to me is a team award; however, Owen stood even taller in both games. Great job, O!"

Rutledge joined NMU this season as a transfer from Northeast Community College, where he appeared in 34 games over two seasons (five starts), recording three goals and eight assists as a defender.

The Wildcats now turn their attention to the start of the GLIAC conference schedule. They'll host the Parkside Rangers at the NMU Soccer Field on Friday, September 19, with kickoff set for 12 p.m.


 
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Players Mentioned

Owen Rutledge

#30 Owen Rutledge

D
5' 11"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Owen Rutledge

#30 Owen Rutledge

5' 11"
Junior
D