Kent State goalie Azure Fernsler has been named the national defensive player of the week for her performance in KSU’s two victories over ranked opponents last week.

The award came from the National Field Hockey Coaches Association.

Fernsler, a fifth-year player from Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania, only allowed one goal each in a 3-1 win over No. 22 Ohio State (3-1) and a 2-1 victory over No. 14 Syracuse (2-1). She had 12 total saves and had a .854 combined save percentage on 26 total shots. 

Fernsler had already won this week’s Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Week title. She is first in the MAC in saves and second in goals against average. 

The Flashes’ wins last week earned them the No. 23 ranking in this week’s coaches association poll. 

Fernsler and her teammates face No. 5 Northwestern on Friday and No. 25 Maine on Saturday, both games taking place on NU’s campus in Evanston, Illinois.

Jacob Hansen is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected]