OKLAHOMA CITY – It is not often that a freshman enters a match in difficult circumstances and takes advantage of it. On Friday afternoon, Jennifer Starwalt of the Mid-America Christian University women's soccer team did exactly that, and on Monday afternoon, she was rewarded for that effort.

Starwalt was named the Sooner Athletic Conference women's soccer Defensive Player of the Week honor for the week ending September 17, 2017. The honor is the second such honor for a MACU player this season, and the first of the career of Starwalt.

Starwalt, a 5-7 freshman goalkeeper from Moore, Oklahoma, entered the Lady Evangels' match with the University of Houston-Victoria with 15:11 remaining in the first half after teammate Madison Donihoo left due to injury. The freshman was not tested in the remainder of the first half, however, in the second half, she had to stand tall, and she was able to rise to the challenge. Starwalt made six second half saves, including a pair in 1-on-1 situations with a one goal lead, and she was able to preserve the margin. A late goal gave the Lady Evangels a 3-1 win and Starwalt her first career victory.

The Lady Evangels will be back in action at home on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. when they take on the Sterling College Warriors (3-2). Kickoff time is slated for 1 p.m.