EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville women's soccer team picked up its second Missouri Valley Conference weekly award in as many weeks on Tuesday, as UE freshman defender Isa Valdez (Phoenix, Ariz./Desert Vista HS) was named the MVC Freshman of the Week.

Making her first start of the season last Thursday at Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, Valdez helped Evansville pick up its first shutout of the 2022 season in a 0-0 tie at the 2021 NCAA Tournament participant.  Valdez played a full 90 minutes as UE's left back, and she used her speed to ensure that the Cougars did not get in behind UE's defense on the left side.  She also helped the UE defense limit SIUE to just five shots on goal out of the 16 total shots the Cougars mustered on the night.

For Evansville, it marked the second MVC award winner of the season, as fifth-year forward Emily Ormson (Folsom, Calif./Vista del Lago HS) was named the MVC Offensive Player of the Week last week.

Valdez, Ormson and the Purple Aces stand at 1-1-2 on the season.  Unbeaten in its last three matches, UE will travel to Cape Girardeau, Missouri on Thursday night to battle the Southeast Missouri State University Redhawks (3-3-0).  Kick-off is set for 6:05 p.m. and Thursday's match can be seen live on ESPN+.