UMBC junior goalkeeper Abbey Cowles was named the Defensive Player of the Week by the America East Conference on Monday afternoon.
 
The Colts Neck, New Jersey native recorded her third clean sheet of the season as UMBC fought defending America East Champion New Hampshire to a scoreless draw on Sunday afternoon in Durham.
 
Cowles turned away eight shots, including a sensational diving save with 37:30 left in the match. Cowles robbed Abbi Maier from scoring the game-winner as the ball was ticketed for the lower left corner, but Cowles made a tremendous play after going all out to prevent the tally.
 
The Freehold graduate also made a savvy strategical decision in the closing seconds as Wildcats' forward Greta Caulton was bearing in on the goal with six seconds left. Cowles sprinted off her line and forced Caulton to push her attempt just wide of the left post as time expired.
 
Cowles leads the circuit with 5.14 saves per game this season.