FULL MVC RELEASE

ST. LOUIS – University of Evansville junior Taylor Brand was named the Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week, as announced by the league office Tuesday morning.  Brand led an Evansville defensive unit that allowed just five shots on goal.
 
The Purple Aces opened the season by going 1-1 this weekend, as UE fell, 1-0, in its season opener against Murray State, before rebounding with a 2-1 win at Tennessee Tech Sunday.
 
In Friday's opener, Brand and the Evansville defense allowed just four shots to reach frame and held the Racers to just one shot on goal in the second half.  The Aces' back line was even more impressive Sunday, as UE limited the Golden Eagles to just one shot on goal, a goal that TTU scored just 48 seconds into the match.  Evansville allowed TTU to get off just four more shots over the remaining 89 minutes, as the Aces outshot Tennessee Tech, 27-5, in the victory.
 
A native of Greenfield, Ind., Brand was an All-MVC Second Team selection last season and earned MVC Defensive Player of the Week honors on Sept. 25 for her role in UE's win over Illinois State.
 
Brand and the Aces will return to the pitch Friday, Aug. 30, when they host UT Martin at 7 p.m.