FREELAND, Mich. - Saint Mary's freshman goalkeeper Kara Stacey was named as the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) women's soccer defensive player of the week for games played from October 18-24.

 

A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Kara posted an 88.9 percent save percentage and a 0.45 goals-against average as the Belles went 1-1 last week. In a road victory over Olivet, she collected a pair of saves on her way to her fifth shutout in goal on the season. She then added six saves in a double-overtime nailbiter against Alma. Over the week, Kara tallied a shutout streak of more than 198 minutes between the posts.

 

"I'm thrilled Kara earned recognition for her work this week," said head coach Jesse Urquhart. "She's had a very good season and the stats don't always paint the whole picture. Wednesday, Kara's distribution and ability to help us build out of pressure was key. She may have only had to make a few saves but she touched the ball as much as anyone on the pitch that night. She followed up the shut out with a great performance on Saturday. I don't want to take the spotlight off Kara, but we're blessed to have keepers who bring the best out of each other day in and day out.  I'm happy that Kara earned defensive player of the week and recognize the contributions both goalkeepers and our defenders put during the almost 200 minute shutout streak this week."

 

It is the first MIAA Defensive Player of the Week honor of her career.