Clarke's Fernando Contreras earns Heart Defensive Player of the Week after relief duty efforts

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – After opening the Heart of America Athletic Conference schedule with a win and a draw, the Clarke University men's soccer team earned individual accolades for the second time this season as goalkeeper Fernando Contreras received Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Contreras played a majority of the second half last Tuesday against Graceland in the Pride's 3-1 win over the Yellowjackets and started and played all 110 minutes of their overtime draw against Park University at home on Saturday.

The freshman from El Salvador was thrust into duty after starter Jan Paule suffered a lower-body injury against Graceland as Contreras would go on for the near 142 minutes played on the field in the week to make 12 saves on 15 shots on goal, while only allowing one goal apiece in each game.

This is the first career conference honor for Contreras and the second Heart Player of the Week award that a member of the Clarke men's soccer team has earned after Luke Persenico snagged the Offensive Player of the Week recognition on Sept. 6.

The Pride will be away from game action until their Homecoming matchup against Benedictine College at 8 p.m. CT on Sept. 25 at Burrows Field.