Kaela Kovanda, a junior defender on the Malone University women's soccer team, has been selected as the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) Defensive Player of the Week.
 
Last Thursday, Kovanda had four assists for the Pioneers in a 5-1 victory over Ohio Valley University. Her impressive total of four assists tied for the second most in program history as Kovanda fell just one assist shy of Ali Mueller's Malone single-game record of five (set in 2004 in a win over Ohio Valley).
 
In addition to her offensive contributions, Kovanda also played a key role in the Pioneers' defensive efforts. Ohio Valley scored a goal in the first ten minutes of Thursday's game before Kovanda and the Pioneer defense held them scoreless for the remainder of the match, allowing Malone to score five unanswered goals.
 
Kovanda and the Malone defense have held four teams scoreless this season and have held five other teams to just one goal. 

The Pioneers are back in action this Thursday with a 6:00 p.m. match at Davis & Elkins College.