FORMER Rufforth goalkeeper Brendan Ledgeway is breaking American college records at the University of Montevallo.

Ledgeway has just finished his third season playing between the sticks for the Alabama students in the United States but has already, with another year left of his scholarship, enjoyed more clean sheets than any other ’keeper in the college’s history.

He has kept the opposition off the scoresheet 30 times and has also taken his place in the history books for enjoying more wins in a Montevallo team than any other past or present player, having now tasted victory during 40 matches.

His achievements helped Ledgeway, 24, become the first goalkeeper to scoop the Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year award during its 22-year existence, beating off the claims of candidates from ten different teams.

The former Heworth-based shot-stopper’s displays were also influential as Montevallo, nicknamed the Falcons, captured their second Peach Belt Conference tournament in three seasons following 13 wins and only two defeats from 20 matches.

In the process, Montevallo enjoyed a third consecutive NCAA division two tournament appearance before bowing out in the south-east region quarter-final 3-1 to Wingate University.

Further recognition then followed for Ledgeway, who only started playing in goal at the age of 16, after being one of five goalkeepers nationally to earn NCAA Division Two All-America recognition.

The former All Saints’ School pupil was also named the All-Peach Belt Conference and NCAA Division Two All-South-East Region’s top ’keeper in their respective teams of the year.

Another individual 2012 highlight for Ledgeway, who graduated from the York & District League’s park pitches to represent the likes of Whitby Town and Marske United in the Northern League before crossing the Atlantic, included a total of ten shut-outs, which was one shy of his college record, set a year earlier.

He only let in 13 goals during 30 hours of football, including a 403-minute spell without conceding.