Tusculum University goalkeeper Nicolas Leite has been named the Applebee's Student-Athlete of the Month for September 2023.

Leite earned four shutouts in nine starts to help the Pioneers to a 5-3-1 record during September. He opened the season with a streak of 359 consecutive minutes without allowing a goal, including shutout wins over Lees-McRae (1-0), Barton (3-0) and King (3-0), all on the road. Leite had a season-high nine saves against Catawba on Sept. 23.

For the month, the Santo Andre, Brazil native conceded just six goals in 791 minutes, 16 seconds of playing time and ended September ranked second in the South Atlantic Conference in goals against average (0.68), saves (38) and save percentage (.864) while ranking third in shutouts with four. He was also twice honored by the SAC as the conference Defensive Player of the Week in helping the Pioneers reach as high as 23rd in the United Soccer Coaches Division II national rankings.

The Tusculum Student-Athlete of the Month Award is sponsored by Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar of Greeneville.  The Applebee's Student-Athlete of the Month Award honors one male and one female student-athlete each month from an in-season sport during the 2023-24 academic year, recognizing their hard work, effort and performance.