Aris Taki
Photo by: Columbia University Athletics / Stockton Photo, Inc.
Taki Named Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week
9/21/2026 2:30:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Sophomore keeper leads the NCAA in GAA and Save Percentage
NEW YORK — Columbia men's soccer sophomore Aris Taki has been named Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week for the first time in his collegiate career. The league office announced its weekly award winners for matches played Sept. 14-20 on Monday afternoon.
Taki posted his third consecutive shutout to lead the Lions' defensive effort in a 1-0 victory over Temple last Tuesday in Philadelphia. He had three saves in the contest, including a diving effort in the opening 10 minutes to help the defense make an early statement.
A native of Nicosia, Cyprus, Taki has posted a perfect 3-0-0 record through his first three collegiate appearances. He made his collegiate debut in the starting XI on Sept. 9 at Fordham, playing all 90 minutes in a 1-0 victory. Since then, Columbia has won three consecutive matches with Taki posting a perfect 0.00 goals-against average and 1.000 save percentage. He ranks No. 1 in the NCAA in both categories and is the only keeper to play at least 50 percent of his team's total minutes without allowing a single goal.
Behind Taki's 270-minute shutout streak, the Lions have won three consecutive matches for the first time since 2018. It is the first time Columbia has won three straight matches that all came on the road since 2016.
Columbia (3-1-1) returns home to Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium on Tuesday to host Lehigh (2-2-3) at 7 p.m.
FOLLOW THE LIONS:
For the latest on Columbia men's soccer, be sure to follow the team on Twitter and Instagram (@CULionsMSOC), on Facebook (ColumbiaMensSoccer), or by visiting GoColumbiaLions.com.
Taki posted his third consecutive shutout to lead the Lions' defensive effort in a 1-0 victory over Temple last Tuesday in Philadelphia. He had three saves in the contest, including a diving effort in the opening 10 minutes to help the defense make an early statement.
A native of Nicosia, Cyprus, Taki has posted a perfect 3-0-0 record through his first three collegiate appearances. He made his collegiate debut in the starting XI on Sept. 9 at Fordham, playing all 90 minutes in a 1-0 victory. Since then, Columbia has won three consecutive matches with Taki posting a perfect 0.00 goals-against average and 1.000 save percentage. He ranks No. 1 in the NCAA in both categories and is the only keeper to play at least 50 percent of his team's total minutes without allowing a single goal.
Behind Taki's 270-minute shutout streak, the Lions have won three consecutive matches for the first time since 2018. It is the first time Columbia has won three straight matches that all came on the road since 2016.
Columbia (3-1-1) returns home to Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium on Tuesday to host Lehigh (2-2-3) at 7 p.m.
FOLLOW THE LIONS:
For the latest on Columbia men's soccer, be sure to follow the team on Twitter and Instagram (@CULionsMSOC), on Facebook (ColumbiaMensSoccer), or by visiting GoColumbiaLions.com.
Players Mentioned
GK
/ Men's SoccerTuesday, September 15
Saturday, September 12
Wednesday, September 09
Saturday, September 05
