Peach Belt Conference Men's Soccer Goalkeeper of the Week Release

AUGUSTA, Ga. – For a program record third time this season, senior goalkeeper Viltsu Tuumi (Pori, Finland) has been named the Peach Belt Conference Men's Soccer Goalkeeper of the Week as announced by the league on Monday, October 19.

He opened the week against North Georgia (10/14) and would surrender his lone goal of the week on a long shot from the far right side at the 16:51 mark. That would be it, however, as he would not allow anything else the rest of the way, making four saves in 90 minutes but would suffer the hard luck 1-0 loss.

Tuumi would make sure there would not be a repeat of that outcome in the final game of the week. Taking on a strong Francis Marion (10/18) team that sported an overall record of 8-3-1, he stonewalled the Patriots as he made seven saves and produced his second clean sheet of the season in 90 minutes of action.

On the season, he has surrendered the fewest goals in the Peach Belt (8) and is second in goals against average (0.87) and fourth in saves (56). Tuumi is 5-3-1 overall on the year.

It is Tuumi's third career Goalkeeper of the Week honor, all of which have come this season. His selection is the 11th overall in program history and he is just the fourth individual to be named PBC Goalkeeper of the Week.

His third selection within a single season is a program record and ties the career mark. The single season record was previously held by David Cristofoli (two in 2009) and Brian Garcia (two in 2010) and he has equaled the career mark held by both of those former Lakers.

The only Clayton State keeper to be recognized this season Tuumi is the third Laker to earn a weekly award, a group that has tallied five total recognitions.

In addition to his three awards, he joins graduate student forward Iain Smith (Suwanee, Ga.) and senior midfielder Avery Shepard (Suwanee, Ga.) who were selected as Player of the Week on September 8 and September 28, respectively. Tuumi won his two previous awards on September 28 and October 5.

Since the Peach Belt began giving out the award in 2008, the Lakers have had at least one Goalkeeper of the Week selection in six of the eight seasons.

Overall the program has claimed a total of 50 weekly honorees from Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week and Goalkeeper of the Week. In 2007, the Peach Belt went from recognizing just one individual to honoring two per week and eventually three award winners beginning in 2008.

Tuumi will be back in action for Clayton State on Wednesday, October 21 as they host Georgia Southwestern (1-8-2, 0-5-1 CC) on Senior Night. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. at Laker Field.

All-Time Peach Belt Conference Goalkeeper of the Week Selections (11/4 Individuals)
(Awarded Since 2008)

2015
9/28 – Viltsu Tuumi
10/5 – Viltsu Tuumi
10/19 – Viltsu Tuumi

2014
9/15 – Nick Punter
9/22 – Nick Punter

2011
9/7 – Brian Garcia

2010
9/21 – Brian Garcia
10/12 – Brian Garcia

2009
9/1 – David Cristofoli
10/6 – David Cristofoli

2008
10/14 – David Cristofoli