Two MSU goalkeepers received Defensive Player of the Week nods from the NCAA on Monday.

After the women’s soccer team shut out Illinois and Iowa this weekend, the Big Ten named junior goalkeeper Stacy Heller Co-Defensive Player of the Week.

And Christina Kirkaldy, a sophomore goalkeeper for the field hockey team, also earned Defensive Player of the Week for extending the Spartans’ winning streak to eight with a shutout against No. 4 James Madison.

Kirkaldy made five stops against James Madison and now ranks third in the conference with 36 saves.

Heller secured the 2-0 Spartan victory in the Big Ten opener vs. Illinois on Friday, and led the team to a 2-0 conference record with a 4-0 victory Sunday against Iowa. She recorded four saves in each game, but said her success came from a team effort.

“We have one of the best defensive lineups ever,” Heller said. “It makes my job a lot easier with that support. It should be all five of us winning, cause we deserve it.”

Heller has notched four shutouts in the seven games this season, allowing only one goal.

The women’s soccer team is 6-1 after this weekend’s victories, and Heller said the winning streak should continue.

“We have the opportunity to be the best we can be,” Heller said. “As long as we can keep our heads on straight.”