Sept. 13, 2004

Memphis, Tenn. - For the second straight week, freshman goalkeeper Natalie Haerens of the women's soccer team was named the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week on Monday. Haerens recorded two more wins and her third shutout of the season as the Tigers went 2-0 on the week to improve to 4-1 on the year, their best start ever.

Haerens allowed just one goal to Tennessee-Martin last Wednesday in a 2-1 Memphis win and then recorded a shutout against previously undefeated Tennessee Tech on Friday in a 2-0 win. The Tigers have now recorded three shutouts on the year and have equaled their shutout total from last year in just five games.

On the week, Haerens recorded a goals against average of 0.50 and made seven saves. On the year, the Lake Mary, Fla. native has a 0.60 gaa and has made 27 saves for a .900 save percentage. Both her and the Tiger defense have allowed just three goals in five games and are yet to allow a first-half goal this year.

Just three weeks into her career, Haerens has now been awarded as many C-USA Defensive Player of the Week awards as had previously been awarded to Memphis individuals in program history. Memphis had previously had only two other such award winners. Haerens also becomes the first Memphis women's soccer player to win a Player of the Week award multiple times in a single season.