Jackie Thomas (Overland Park, Kan./Blue Valley North H.S.) has been named the Mid-Continent Conference Defensive Player of the Week after leading Valparaiso to a win over Oral Roberts on Saturday, moving the Crusaders into sole possession of first place in the Mid-Continent Conference standings.

The freshman helped the Brown and Gold defense limit the defending Mid-Con champions to just six shots on goal on the way to a 2-1 victory last Saturday night on the road.

Thomas becomes the fourth Crusader to earn conference honors this season. Courtney Rahrig (Centennial, Colo./J.K. Mullen H.S.) earned defensive accolades back on September 6 while Brittany Derksen (Chugiak, Alaska/Chugiak H.S.) and Lori Johnson (Sachse, Texas/Naaman Forest H.S.) have each garnered offensive awards.