Grand Rapids, Mich. Same week. Same award. Same two Saints.
For the second time this season, Aquinas goalkeepers Dario Cela and Claire Fogarty have been selected as the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Defensive Players of the Week.
The conference announced Monday that Cela earned the men's soccer defensive honor, while Fogarty claimed the women's soccer defensive award. Both goalkeepers also received the recognition during the opening week of the 2026 season.
Two goalkeepers. Four combined weekly awards. Another impressive statement from the Maroon and White.
Dario Cela | Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Cela kept Aquinas within striking distance throughout two one-goal matches, making 16 saves across 180 minutes.
The junior goalkeeper opened the week with nine saves against unbeaten Spring Arbor. Cela repeatedly turned away the Cougars and gave the Saints an opportunity to find an equalizer before Spring Arbor escaped with a 2-1 victory.
Cela followed with seven saves in Saturday's WHAC opener against Cleary. After the Cougars scored in the 31st minute, the native of Pogradec, Albania, shut the door for the remaining 59 minutes.
His work in goal allowed Aquinas to erase a 1-0 halftime deficit and rally for a 2-1 Homecoming victory.
"We are very happy for Dario and excited to see him recognized," Aquinas Men's Soccer Head Coach Luke Ruff said. "Our four losses have all been decided by one goal, including three 1-0 matches and the 2-1 result against Spring Arbor. That says a lot about how our goalkeeping and back line have competed and kept us in every game.
"Dario would be the first to say this award reflects the entire defensive group. Those guys have challenged shots, defended the box and made opponents work for every opportunity, and Dario has been there to finish the job when they have broken through."
Cela's second WHAC honor follows his award-winning performance during opening week, when he made six saves and recorded a clean sheet in Aquinas' 1-0 victory over Indiana Northwest.
The Salem High School graduate has played soccer since age five and came to Aquinas looking for an opportunity to challenge himself while continuing to develop academically and athletically.
Claire Fogarty | Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Fogarty earned two victories in goal and made seven saves across 180 minutes as Aquinas completed a perfect 2-0 week.
The sophomore stopped three shots in a 2-1 road victory over Indiana Northwest. Fogarty helped the Saints protect a two-goal advantage before closing out the nonconference win.
She added four first-half saves against Cleary on Saturday, allowing the Aquinas attack to build a 4-0 advantage. The Cougars rallied after halftime, but Fogarty and the Saints protected the lead and secured a 4-3 Homecoming victory in their WHAC opener.
"Claire continues to give us a steady and confident presence in goal," Aquinas Women's Soccer Head Coach Mario Zuniga-Gil said. "She made the saves we needed in two competitive matches and showed tremendous composure throughout the week. We are very proud of Claire, but defending for us begins well before the ball reaches our penalty area.
"It takes all 11 players working together, communicating and recovering for one another. Claire's recognition is well deserved, and it also represents the collective effort our team put into earning two victories."
Fogarty's latest recognition comes four weeks after she collected 13 saves against Spring Arbor in her Aquinas debut and earned the conference's first defensive award of the season.
The Tullahoma, Tennessee, native joined the Saints after helping the University of the Cumberlands reach the 2025 NAIA National Championship match. A Business Administration major with a Pre-Law minor, Fogarty chose Aquinas for the opportunity to strengthen her faith while continuing to compete at a high level.
Together Again
Cela and Fogarty first swept the WHAC's soccer defensive awards on Aug. 24 following two very different opening-week performances.
Cela was perfect when called upon, stopping all six shots he faced in a shutout victory. Fogarty stood tall under relentless pressure, making 13 saves and keeping Aquinas within one goal against Spring Arbor.
Four weeks later, both goalkeepers have earned their way back into the conference spotlight.
Same positions. Same two Saints. Same well-earned result.
Up Next
Cela and the Aquinas men's soccer team return to WHAC play Wednesday with a 3 p.m. match at Rochester Christian in Rochester Hills.
Fogarty and the AQ women welcome Rochester Christian to the Aquinas College Athletic Field on Wednesday. The opening kick is scheduled for 7 p.m., Joey Sutherlin will have the call on the AQSaints YouTube Network.
When the conference announces its next group of weekly winners, Aquinas hopes to have even more names in the conversation. Women's volleyball, men's and women's golf, men's and women's cross country and both Saints soccer programs will all have opportunities to add to AQ's growing list of WHAC Player of the Week honors.
It's a great day to be a Saint.
