For the first time this season, an NIU player is honored for the women’s soccer MAC Player of the Week.

Sophomore goalkeeper Lindsey Curnock received recognition for her play last weekend against Ohio and Akron. Curnock logged 200 minutes of shutout play over the weekend and hasn’t allowed a goal in the last 228:06 minutes.

In addition to the MAC honors, Curnock’s 12 career shutouts place her on top of NIU’s all-time list.

“(Curnock) had a great weekend for us when we really needed it. She played like she was a senior. She was big time,” said head coach Marci Miller-Jobson. “This past weekend we saw a lot of maturing, confidence and consistency in her.”

Curnock has five shutouts on the season. She gives a lot of credit to the defense which has been playing consistently all season. NIU has a .8 goal-against average, good for third in the MAC.

“We have a lot of good players,” Curnock said. “We get good matchups, communicate very well and work together well back there.”

Team D

Miller-Jobson also speaks highly of the defense. She said that it all starts with experience. Last season, the unit played soundly, but after a year of playing together, they’ve become a force to be reckoned with.

“I think it’s all team defense. Defense starts with how the forwards defend and how the midfielders defend,” Miller-Jobson said. “I credit a lot to our backs. They’re getting experience in their roles. They’re a tough group that I wouldn’t want to play against.”