SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. -- Shippensburg University senior goalkeeper Grace Meinke was named the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFCHA) Defensive Player of the Week Wednesday.
 
Meinke garnered national recognition after she extended her shutout streak to four games by making a season-high eight saves in SU's 2-0 win at No. 5 IUP Friday.
 
The SU netminder weathered eight total IUP penalty corners, including four in the final five minutes of the match and two in the final 30 seconds, to preserve the victory.
 
Her eight stops were the most in her Raider career and most since she made 13 stops for Queens Charlotte against James Madison during her freshman season (Nov. 4, 2023).
 
Two of Meinke's shutouts during her current streak have come against ranked opponents, the first being a 1-0 victory over No. 1 Kutztown back on Oct. 24.
 
It is the first-ever national weekly honor for Meinke and the third for the Raiders this season – Elaina Fragassi was named national Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 28 and fellow goalkeeper Liv Schweighart was named Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 16.