Goalkeeper can be a lonely position in the game of soccer.

The keeper is the last line of defense and when the ball falls into the net, the feeling can be dreadful.

Lindsey Curnock, goalkeeper for the NIU women’s soccer team, did not experience that feeling too often this season. The sophomore compiled a 0.53 goals-against average with 47 saves and nine shutouts, including four consecutive shutouts to end the year.

The Batavia native piled up more than 240 scoreless minutes over four games and earned MAC Player of the Week for the week of Oct. 15.

“I noticed when I had a shutout and I knew we were doing well at the time, but I didn’t know it was going on,” Curnock said. “I didn’t really keep track until someone pointed it out to me.”

Curnock attributed her success to her team. She stressed that it is more than just an individual effort.

“Goalkeeper itself is individual. You’re the last line of defense,” Curnock said. “But it has to go through a team of players before it gets to you. Goalkeeping is a very unique position.”