Photo by: Jack McLaughlin
Stelzer named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week
October 08, 2015 | Women's Soccer
Senior center back key in Wisconsin's shutout, upset of No. 11 Minnesota
MADISON, Wis. – Brianna Stelzer has been an anchor in the backline for Wisconsin women's soccer all season long. Tuesday, the senior was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week by the conference after her lockdown performance led the Badgers in a shutout of No. 11 Minnesota last weekend.
Her first league honor, the Lakeville, Minnesota native helped Wisconsin completely shut down Minnesota's offensive attack and record a 1-0 home shutout last Friday night. The Gophers came in undefeated in conference play and had scored 25 goals on the year, but Stelzer and the UW defense limited Minnesota to just four shots and only one shot on goal in the game.
Stelzer's primary responsibility was UM forward Simone Kolander, who is tied for second in the Big Ten with seven goals, but was held by Stelzer to just one shot in the game Friday.
Wisconsin's win over No. 11 Minnesota marked the program's first win over a top-11 team since 1988.
It marked the fourth straight shutout and fifth of the season for Stelzer and the Badgers.
Stelzer was also an honorable mention for TopDrawerSoccer.com's National Team of the Week.
She becomes the first player to be named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week at Wisconsin since goalkeeper Genevieve Richard was three times last year. Stelzer is the first non-goalkeeper to earn the accolade for UW since fellow center back and current teammate Kylie Schwarz did in 2013.
Winners of three straight games, Wisconsin takes to the road for conference clashes against Iowa on Thursday and Nebraska on Sunday. Both games can be watched live with BTN Plus.
Her first league honor, the Lakeville, Minnesota native helped Wisconsin completely shut down Minnesota's offensive attack and record a 1-0 home shutout last Friday night. The Gophers came in undefeated in conference play and had scored 25 goals on the year, but Stelzer and the UW defense limited Minnesota to just four shots and only one shot on goal in the game.
Stelzer's primary responsibility was UM forward Simone Kolander, who is tied for second in the Big Ten with seven goals, but was held by Stelzer to just one shot in the game Friday.
Wisconsin's win over No. 11 Minnesota marked the program's first win over a top-11 team since 1988.
It marked the fourth straight shutout and fifth of the season for Stelzer and the Badgers.
Stelzer was also an honorable mention for TopDrawerSoccer.com's National Team of the Week.
She becomes the first player to be named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week at Wisconsin since goalkeeper Genevieve Richard was three times last year. Stelzer is the first non-goalkeeper to earn the accolade for UW since fellow center back and current teammate Kylie Schwarz did in 2013.
Winners of three straight games, Wisconsin takes to the road for conference clashes against Iowa on Thursday and Nebraska on Sunday. Both games can be watched live with BTN Plus.
Players Mentioned
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