BOSTON – University of Vermont senior captain Nick Washuta picked up the first America East Defensive Player of the Week honor of the season and 11th of his career following Vermont's 9-8 win over Merrimack (Feb. 29).
 
Washuta recorded a season-high 14 saves and added seven ground balls in the thrilling home win over the Warriors. He recorded seven saves in each half.
 
In 2020, Washuta ranks second in America East and eighth in the NCAA with a .600 save percentage. His 8.10 goals against average is second in the conference and ninth nationally.
 
As a team, Vermont's man-down defense is a perfect 7-for-7 this season, joining Harvard as the only other team to not allow an EMO goal. Vermont's .892 clearing percentage leads America East and ranks 13th in the country.
 
In Green & Gold history, Washuta is third with 26 career wins and only four wins shy of matching program-leader Scott Bevill '95. The Orono, Minnesota native is currently third in program history with a 9.32 career goals against average and fifth in UVM history with a career .567 save percentage.
 
Vermont hosts unbeaten Dartmouth (3-0, 0-0 Ivy) this Saturday (Mar. 7) on Virtue Field. The opening faceoff is set for 1 p.m.