Ward secures defensive weekly honor from the Heart

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - For the second time this season, a member of the Clarke University women's soccer team will earn Player of the Week honors from the Heart of America Athletic Conference as senior Hope Ward received Defensive Player of the Week status on Monday.

Ward scored the opening goal in both of CU's games last week, both scored via a header off of a corner kick service from Jamie Albertson as the Pride took a 1-0 lead against Missouri Baptist last Tuesday in the 15th minute and against Graceland University on Saturday in the very first minute of the game.

The Burlington, Iowa native also mans the central defensive position for the Pride as they only allowed one goal in each game and even limited Graceland to just two shots total in the entire game.

Clarke's defense has been its strong spot in the first eight games of the season to see the Pride start 6-0-2 as they've only allowed one goal in any of the games they've played and have two shutouts on the season.

Pride women's soccer will continue into Heart play with a home matchup against William Penn University this Tuesday evening for a 7:00 p.m. CT start time.