COLORADO SPRINGS, Co. — Villanova field hockey goalkeeper Maddi Sears was named the NFHCA Division 1 Defensive Player of the Week honorable following the Wildcat's opening weekend action, the Coaches Association announced Wednesday morning. 

Sears becomes the second player in program history to win be selected as a NFHCA Honorable mention, joining Lydia Sydnor who was selected in 2019. She is the first player in program history to be named Defensive Player of the Week Honorable Mention.

The senior played every minute for the Wildcats this past weekend and helped lead VU to a 2-0 record to start the season. In Friday's action against Delaware, Sears collected nine saves on 10 shots faced in the victory. She held the Blue Hens to three shutout quarters and earned a .900 save percentage. On Sunday, Sears collected her first shutout of the season and stopped all six shots that she faced against the Explorers. She leaves the opening action with a 2-0 record as well as a .938 save percentage. 

This marks the seventh weekly award selection for Sears in her career, however, this marks her first national weekly award. She had previously been selected BIG East Defensive Player of the Week twice in addition to being named to BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll four times.

Sears, along with the entire Villanova field hockey team, will continue regular season action as the team heads up to State College to face off against Penn State on Friday, September 4 at 3 p.m..