LAS CRUCES, N.M. (Sept. 13)-New Mexico State redshirt freshman goalkeeper Mikaela Bitner has been named the Verizon WAC Defensive Player of the Week, for the week of Sept. 6-12, the conference office announced. This is her first career honor.

Bitner anchored the Aggie defense to a 1-0 shutout victory over North Dakota, Sept. 10. She collected her first career shutout behind a season-high nine saves. Bitner also posted a 1.000 save percentage in 90 minutes of play. She is the second Aggie to earn the award this season.

“Mikaela has done a wonderful job in the goal for us to this point,” head coach Michael Needham said. “She has made some great saves that have allowed us to win and tie some very close games.  Originally I viewed Mikaela as a shot stopper, she is a more complete goalkeeper than that.  I am very happy with her performance over the first month of our season.”

The Aggies return to the field and host Alabama A&M, Friday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. and Lamar, Sunday, Sept. 19 at noon.