Ball State University Athletics
Heintschel Named MAC Defensive Player of the Week
November 02, 2015 | Soccer
MUNCIE, Ind. -- Ball State goalkeeper Alyssa Heintschel was selected Monday as the Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Week for women's soccer.
Heintschel recorded a pair of shutouts last week, running her streak to four in a row and etching her name in the Ball State record books.
The sophomore from Oregon, Ohio, held Miami scoreless in a 1-0 shutout Thursday to clinch Ball State's first MAC regular season title since 2007. She made four saves and defended some dangerous crosses to keep a clean sheet and help Ball State cap a 10-1 conference campaign.
Heintschel then held Akron without a goal for 110 minutes of regulation and overtime Sunday in the MAC Tournament quarterfinals before the Zips advanced on penalty kicks.
Thursday's win at Miami was Heintschel's 14th of the season, tying her with Alison Becker (2005) for the most wins in a season by a Ball State goalkeeper. Her 0.63 goals against average for the year ranks as the fourth best in school history.
The Cardinals wrapped up their season with a record of 14-3-3, coming within one of the school record for wins. They captured the third MAC regular season championship in program history.
The player of the week award was the second of the season for Heintschel, who also earned the honor Aug. 31. Three other Ball State players garnered weekly awards from the league this season -- Abbie Boswell (Aug. 31, offensive), Chelsy Swackhamer (Sept. 28, offensive) and Leah Mattingly (Oct. 5, defensive).
