Valparaiso junior Mitch Albrecht (Batavia, Ill./Batavia) has been selected as the Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week for the Week of Nov. 4 – Nov. 10.

In the two Crusader games this past week, Albrecht logged 180 total minutes. In the first game at #20 Michigan, a penalty surrendered in the 27^th minute of play would be the difference in a 1-0 loss. Other than the penalty, Albrecht and the Crusaders allowed only four shots on goal.

On Saturday, the Crusaders faced off against Detroit in a match that carried significant post-season implications. Simply put, the Crusaders needed a victory in order to secure a Horizon League Championship berth. Albrecht and the Crusaders didn’t disappoint, as Valpo claimed a 1-0 victory to advance to the post-season tournament.

In the match, Albrecht anchored a Crusader backline that posted the team’s fifth shutout of the season while only allowing three shots on goal.

Albrecht has been vital to the Crusaders’ success this season. He is the only Crusader to have played and started in every match of the season. Albrecht is far and away the team leader in minutes with 1,584 total minutes played.

Albrecht and the Crusaders begin Horizon League Championship play on Tuesday with a quarterfinal match at Oakland. In their last meeting, the Crusaders and Grizzlies played to a 1-1 draw. Kickoff for the match is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT. Live video for the match will be available through the Horizon League Network. Live stats will also be available at ValpoAthletics.com.