Brockport women’s soccer goalkeeper Emily McCane was named Empire 8 Defensive Player of the Week Monday for helping lead the Golden Eagles to a 4-0 victory over SUNY Polytechnic Institute on Saturday. She played 90 minutes in net and made one save.
“It’s pretty important to me,” McCane said. “The playing time is a little bit funny in my situation, but I stepped into that role and I took advantage of it and I’m very happy to get that name for me and my team. The defense obviously deserves it to.”
The trio of Madeline McCrosson, Karissa Champion, and McCane have combined for 29 saves and have not allowed a goal all season. McCane credits their success to their competitiveness.
“We’re competing for one position and one of us plays at a time,” McCane said. “I think it would be a lot different if we didn’t have this great friendship. We’re always supporting each other and just letting each other know we’re always there for each other, and it’s a competitive zone but it’s also making each other better.”
The team is off to its best start in program history. Through the first 11 games of the season, the Golden Eagles hold a 10-0-1 record and have not allowed a goal all season, one of two teams in the nation that have not been scored on. McCane credits the team’s strong mentality for their dominant start to the season.
“The mentality going into every practice is ‘what can I do to make myself better?’ And ‘what can I do to make my teammates better?’” McCane said. “We focus on the next game and don’t focus on the past. We focus on what we can do to win the next game and it’s important to the wins that have come for us.”
The Golden Eagles have a tough upcoming conference game versus St. John Fisher. McCane knows the team has a target on their back and needs to maintain a high level of play to keep the wins coming.
“Honestly, we are all thinking not to think too highly of ourselves,” McCane said. “There are good teams that are looking at us and want nothing better than to beat us and score on us. We have to go in and not be flat. If we go in flat, we’re going to be put in our place. We have to do our job and do it well.”
The Golden Eagles are looking for win number 11 on the season when they host St. John Fisher Oct. 12. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m.
