Story courtesy of Massachusetts Athletic Communications

AMHERST, Mass. -- Massachusetts field hockey goalkeeper Myrte van Herwijnen earned Division I National Defensive Player of The Week honors, the National Field Hockey Coaches Associated announced Wednesday morning. The award marks the first national weekly honor for van Herwijnen and second of her career.

Van Herwijnen received the recognition after anchoring the Minutewomen to a 2-1 (3-1) penalty shootout win over no. 4 Boston College. Van Herwijnen recorded eight saves in the contest, including five in the fourth quarter and overtime. The Huizen, The Netherlands native stopped three penalty shootout attempts for the second time in three games, proving to be a dominant force with the game on the line.

Van Herwijnen and The Minutewomen return to Amherst, facing Kent State for their MAC opener on Friday, Sept. 19 at 4 p.m. at Gladchuk Field Hockey Complex. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and can be followed live on umassathletics.com or UMassFH on Twitter.