Men's Soccer | October 17

ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- Senior goalkeeper Jakub Rojek (Chicago, Ill./Von Steuben) of the Northern Illinois University men's soccer team has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week, announced by the league office on Tuesday (Oct. 17). 

Rojek recorded three saves while earned a shutout of Bradley on Saturday night (Oct. 14) to help NIU increase its unbeaten streak to three matches. 

After Taylor Davis (Wichita Falls, Texas/Wichita Falls) opened the scoring against the Braves in the final minute of the first half, Rojek made all three of his saves in the second 45 minutes to preserve the victory. The Chicago native's first save of the night came in the 66th minute with an outstanding reaction stop from close range on a shot from DJ Koulai. Rojek's final stop came with 90 seconds remaining with a terrific kick save off a chance by Caleb Ribeiro. 

The victory over Bradley was Rojek's second clean sheet of the season. He currently has a 1.75 goals against average and a .725 save percentage in eight matches this season. 

Rojek's award is NIU's first Missouri Valley Conference weekly honor and the first conference weekly award for the Huskies since Adrian Lara was named Mid-American Conference Player of the Week on Oct. 11, 2021. 

NIU will be back in action on Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 18, when the Huskies travel to Western Michigan. Kickoff against the Broncos is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT.