Missouri State senior defender Johannes Demarzi was named MVC Defensive Player of the Week by the league office today.  Demarzi tallied his league-leading 10th assist of the season on the game-winning goal in Missouri State's 1-0 win over Evansville on Wednesday to clinch the conference title. 

Demarzi is currently fifth in the country in assists, all while playing the back line.  He also led the Bears' defense to its ninth shutout of the season and a season-low six shots allowed in Wednesday's match.

The honor is his third MVC Player of the Week award this season, this time of the defensive side of the ball.  Demarzi was named MVC Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 21 and Oct. 19.

Demarzi and the top-seeded Bears will face fourth-seed, Evansville, in the first semifinal match of the MVC Tournament on Friday in Des Moines, Iowa.  Kickoff at Cownie Soccer Complex is set for 3:30 p.m.  The match will be streamed through the MVC Live, the league's video-streaming service.