KANSAS CITY, MO.- UT Southern’s (Tenn.) Louis Hester has been named the NAIA Men’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week after delivering a standout performance in goal that included a shutout victory over the nation’s top-ranked team.

Hester anchored the Firehawks’ defense in a 2-0 win over No. 1 Dalton State (Ga.), making five saves to snap the Roadrunners’ 37-game unbeaten streak and halt their 50-game home unbeaten run that stretched back to 2019.

The veteran goalkeeper followed that up with an eight-save effort in a narrow 2-1 loss to No. 19 Life, with the deciding goal coming on a late penalty kick.

Hester finished the week with 13 saves and one clean sheet. UT Southern is now 6-4-2 overall and 2-3-1 in Southern States Athletic Conference play.

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