As announced by the Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference on Monday (Sept. 19), Kayla Shuk was recognized as the WHAC Defensive Player of the Week. The freshman goalkeeper for the Aquinas women's soccer team helped the No. 16-ranked Saints emphatically blank Mt. Vernon Nazarene 2-0 for a homecoming win Saturday afternoon (Sept. 17) at the AQ Athletic Field. Aquinas is unbeaten at home in the last 14 games with Shuk being the starting goalkeeper for the last four home affairs.

Shuk had to make two saves on Saturday to preserve AQ's fourth shutout of the season. It was the Saints' first homecoming win since they the blasted Olivet College 7-0 on Sept. 21, 2019, as there was no homecoming match in 2020 due to COVID-19 and a loss the following year to then-ranked No. 7 Marian.

This is Shuk's first conference accolade as a WHAC newcomer in her debut season with Aquinas.

Last year, the Farmington Hills product won the golden glove award for 2021 MPSL season in route to helping Corktown AFC to a state cup championship.

Shuk and the Saints travel to Concordia in Ann Arbor, Mich., to start conference play this weekend. Kickoff on Saturday (Sept. 24) is set for 1 p.m.