Missouri State senior Kate Hercules has been named this week's Brine/Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday.

Hercules was a key factor in the Bears' double shutout weekend. The 2005 MVC Defensive Player of the Year was the starting middle back in both MSU games over the weekend and led the Bears' defense as they blanked UALR on Friday and Eastern Illinois on Sunday.

Hercules put the Bears up 1-0 in the 10th minute of Friday’s match with her second goal of the season. She headed the rebound of her own shot past UALR’s keeper to score the game-winner for Missouri State. Hercules posted four shots in the game, including three on goal.

On a rainy Sunday afternoon, Hercules recorded two shots for the Bears and did her part on defense to keep the EIU Panthers off the scoreboard.

The Bears have won six straight games to post a 7-2 mark in non-conference women’s soccer and continue to be atop the Valley standings.

Missouri State will be at home Friday at Plaster Field to compete against Memphis at 7 p.m.