MARLBOROUGH, Mass. – Wheaton College (Mass.) men's soccer player Patrick Butler (Glastonbury, Conn.) was named the New England Women's & Men's Athletic Conference Men's Soccer Defensive Athlete of the Week for the week of September 7-13, it was announced today by the league.

The sophomore was outstanding in a pair of matches for the Lyons, posting two shutouts, while stopping all 11 shots he faced in 180 minutes of action. The goalkeeper turned away all five shots in a 1-0 win over visiting Western Connecticut State University on September 7. A Finance major, Butler capped the week, coming up with six saves in a 2-0 shutout over visiting Union College on September 13.

The Glastonbury High School product has been outstanding this season for Wheaton, starting all three matches he's appeared in, while notching three blank sheets. Butler currently leads the nation in goals against average (0.00) and is among 10 players in NCAA Division III to have played at least 270 minutes without allowing a marker. His 15 saves for the season, rank him third among all keepers in Division III with a 1.000 save percentage. 

For his career, Butler has not allowed a goal and has 15 saves in 279:25 minutes of action over four contests.

The Lyons are currently 3-0-2 on the season and rank seventh in the most recent United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division III National Poll and first in Region II by United Soccer Coaches. Wheaton is unbeaten in 29 of its last 31 matches, dating back to October 26, 2024. The Lyons return to the pitch on Wednesday, September 16 when they travel to Beverly, Mass. to take on Endicott College at 7:00 p.m.