COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Fort Lewis College men’s soccer player Ryan Wirth was named the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Men’s Athlete of the Month for October, RMAC Assistant Commissioner Sarah Meier announced today.

“This is a tremendous honor for our program and for Ryan to be recognized by the RMAC,” said third-year FLC head coach Oige Kennedy. “Ryan has been the model student-athlete in his time at Fort Lewis and we are delighted to have him as a major part of our team.”

Wirth, a 5-foot-10 senior goalkeeper from Bayfield, Colo., was chosen by league coaches as the 2011 RMAC Goalkeeper of the Year and named to the All-RMAC first team yesterday. During October, he posted five shutouts in nine games. He faced 95 shots and 38 shots on goal, making 34 saves and allowing only four goals for a 0.44 goals against average.

Wirth, who has played every minute in goal for the Skyhawks this year, currently ranks second in NCAA Division II in goals against average (0.389 per game) and fifth in saves percentage (0.883). 

Previously this season, he earned RMAC Defensive Player of the Week honors on Sept. 27 and Oct. 11. Wirth redshirted in 2007 and ’08 before serving as backup to All-American Zane Wells on FLC’s 2009 NCAA Division II national championship team. He split time with two other keepers in 2010 before cementing down the starting job in the season’s final weeks. His junior campaign culminated with a nod on the RMAC All-Tournament team.

Wirth is the second Skyhawk to receive the honor this fall. Women’s soccer player Hayley Hollenga received the RMAC Women’s Athlete of the Month award in September.

Nebraska-Kearney volleyball player Hayley Lake was named the RMAC Women’s Athlete of the Month for October. A sophomore from Lincoln, Neb., Lake helped the Lopers to an 11-0 record last month after averaging 3.26 kills, 1.09 digs and 0.83 blocks per set. She also hit an impressive .421 (114-21-221) for the month, and tallied double digit kill totals in seven of 11 matches. A product of Southeast High School, Lake had five matches with three or more blocks. She also posted a career-high 19 kills, five blocks, and hit .567 in a sweep at Metro State on Oct. 29. Lake is currently ranked sixth in the nation in hitting percentage with a .413 mark (219-42-429).

Fort Lewis (17-1-0 overall) will host the RMAC playoffs today through Sunday at Dirks Field. The first semifinal pits No. 2 seed Regis (13-3-1) against No. 3 seed Metro State (13-5-1) at 12:30 p.m. this afternoon. The Skyhawks then host No. 4 seed Colorado Mines (11-6-1) at 3:00 p.m. Semifinal winners will meet at 1 p.m. Sunday in the RMAC postseason championship game.

Because these are RMAC playoff events, no previously issued passes or tickets will be accepted for the tournament. All fans, including FLC students, faculty, staff, boosters, retirees, and Athletic Hall of Fame members, must purchase tickets. Single-day prices are $10 for adults and $5 for students (ages 13 through college), children (ages 6-12), and senior citizens (ages 65 and older). Children age five and younger will