NEW ORLEANS (JMU Athletics) – Following a shutout 1-0 victory against UCF, Erik Jaspers has been named Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced on Tuesday afternoon.

Jaspers excelled in the Dukes lone contest of the week, making six saves in goal and blanking a Knights squad that was the third highest scoring offense in the conference heading into the match. The stellar shutout marked Jaspers second in a row, third of the season and fifth of his career.

The Dukes fourth year netminder has thwarted opposing offenses all season, making 28 saves and holding an .800 save percentage, both ranking as the second best marks in the SBC. Additionally, Jaspers ranks second in the Sun Belt in saves per game, making 4.00 stops a contest while only allowing a 1.00 goals per game average, the fourth best mark in the league.

Not only is the recognition Jaspers’ first career SBC award but the honor also marks the program’s first Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week since Davide Materazzi brought one home on Sept. 24, 2024. Additionally, it’s the Dukes first overall SBC Player of the Week designation since Kevin Larsson won it on the offensive side on Oct. 22, 2024.

— JMU Athletics —