Sept. 23, 2013

CHICAGO - UIC freshman goalkeeper Andrew Putna has been named the Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week for Sept. 16-22, it was announced by the League office Monday. The accolade comes to Putna after leading the Flames to a 2-0-0 weekend at the UIC Soccer Classic for a first-place finish.

UIC came away with a 1-0 win against nationally-ranked Gonzaga on Friday, Sept. 20, before turning around and taking a 4-0 win over IPFW on Sunday, Sept. 22, for its fifth-consecutive win and fourth-straight shutout. Throughout the two matches, Putna made four saves and improved his season GAA to 0.86.

"Andrew's performance early on in our game against Gonzaga was very good," head coach Sean Phillips said. "His play, as well as that of the rest of the defenders, has been growing and becoming more consistent the last couple of weekends. We look forward to his continued development, along with that of the backs, over the course of the season."

The Lemont, Ill., native was named to the UIC Soccer Classic all-tournament team after not allowing a single goal through both contests. On the season, he has collectively made 11 saves while playing in all seven matches.

Putna and the Flames return to action on Saturday, when they head to Edwardsville, Ill., to face Southern Illinois-Edwardsville at 7 p.m. CT at Korte Stadium.