Boston, MA – UMBC graduate student goalie Kalli Williams was named the America East Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Monday afternoon, marking her second honor of the young season.

Williams played a key role in leading the Retrievers to two ties against Towson and American last week. She allowed just one goal in 135 minutes of play and recorded a total of 17 saves.

In the match against Towson, Williams made a crucial save with just over eleven minutes remaining by charging out to the seven-yard line to block a shot from a wide-open Sophie Thibault, preventing a potential game-winner. Earlier in the same match, she executed an impressive diving save with her left hand on a shot from Kale'a Perry, which resulted in a corner kick for the Tigers.

Williams had a standout performance against American, where she achieved a career-best nine saves in just 45 minutes of play. Notably, she made a sensational leaping save off a powerful free kick late in the first half, helping to preserve a 1-0 lead at halftime.