IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa women’s soccer team captain Samantha Cary was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for the second consecutive week, the league office announced on Tuesday.
Cary’s award last week was the first weekly conference recognition of her career. The fifth-year veteran is also a four-time Big Ten Player to Watch honoree.
Cary was also named to the College Soccer News National Team of the Week for her efforts in Iowa’s pair of road shutouts against No. 18 Virginia on Sept. 7 and George Mason on Sept. 10.
The Hawkeyes tied the ranked Cavaliers team in a scoreless match before downing George Mason, 3-0. Cary contributed to the total against George Mason, drilling her first goal of the season with a header sent by freshman Keira Smyer to put the game out of reach in the second half.
The Hawkeye defense was stellar again this week, allowing two shots or fewer in three of four halves played. Iowa has allowed two shots or fewer in 10 of 14 halves played this season.
Iowa shut down a ranked Cavalier team that entered the match with 20 goals already under its belt. The clean sheet was Iowa’s sixth this season. The Hawkeyes have given up just one goal on the year.
Cary played all 90 minutes at No. 18 Virginia, marking the fifth time she has played the entirety of a match this season. She leads Iowa position players with 594 minutes this season.
Cary and the Hawkeyes open Big Ten Conference play on Sunday at 1 p.m. when Iowa hosts Illinois for Junior Hawk Club Day at the Iowa Soccer Complex.