Valparaiso redshirt sophomore Shelby Oelschlager (Glendale, Ariz./Mountain Ridge) has been named the Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week for her work at center back in the Crusaders’ pair of shutouts last week.

Oelschlager started both matches in the middle of the back line and played all 183 minutes at center back as Valpo posted clean sheets in victories over Oakland and Cleveland State last week.  The sophomore was instrumental in limiting the Crusaders’ two opponents to just eight combined shots on goal over the two games.

Oelschlager has started all ten games at center back for Valpo so far this season and has played every minute in nine of those ten matches.  She has contributed to the strong defensive play of the Crusaders, as the team has surrendered just four goals to date, has posted seven total shutouts and ranks among the top-ten nationally in both save percentage and goals against average.

Oelschlager and the rest of the Crusaders get a respite from Horizon League play this week, as their lone fixture is a non-league matchup against Loyola at Brown Field Saturday evening.