Sept. 24, 2007

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Through its first nine games of the season, the Villanova women's soccer team carries a 7-0-2 record and has allowed just two goals all season long. That dominance is earning just reward from around the nation with a string of honors for the team's top defensive players. Sophomore Kelly Eagan (St. James, N.Y.) is this week's Defensive Player of the Week and was also named the women's soccer Player of the Week by the website TopDrawerSoccer.com. Additionally, senior goalkeeper Jillian Loyden (Vineland, N.J.) earned a spot on the BIG EAST weekly honor roll.

The Wildcats posted shutout wins over Georgetown (1-0) and Penn (4-0) in their only two games last week, extending the squad's shutout streak to three straight and seven in nine games on the year. Eagan factored heavily in both games, helping Villanova allow just nine total shots on goal in the two games. In addition, she scored the game-winning goal late in the second half of the win over the Hoyas as the Wildcats opened BIG EAST Conference play with a win.

All four of Eagan's career goals have been game-winners, including two this season and three that came in the second half of 1-0 victories. She was named a preseason All-BIG EAST selection and so far has led a defense that allows an average of fewer than four shots on goal per game. As a freshman last season, Eagan became the first freshman in team history to receive first team All-BIG EAST honors and she was a finalist for the Soccer Buzz Freshman of the Year award. Since the end of last season Eagan has been invited to try out for the United States U-20 National Team.

"It is wonderful for Kelly to be honored by the BIG EAST and Top Drawer Soccer this week," Villanova head coach Ann Clifton said. "She has played tremendous soccer the last few weeks and she continues to be a big part of our overall defensive effort."

Loyden was named to the honor roll for the second time this season. She had a week that would be nearly impossible to top. In the win over Georgetown, Loyden posted her 30th career shutout to set a new Villanova career record. Against Penn, she was credited with an assist on the game's final goal as she registered her second career point. Earlier today, she was named one of 20 candidates around the country for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award.

In the two victories last week, Loyden stopped all nine shots on goal by the opposition to improve her season marks to a 0.24 goals-against average and .938 save percentage. She now has six solo shutouts in eight games this season, with 31 career shutouts and 44 career victories to her credit. Loyden sports a career 0.68 goals-against average and has started every career game she has played in.