WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - After helping lead the Hawks to a 2-0-1 record over the week, which included three shutouts in Northeast Conference play, Monmouth University junior goalkeeper Lia Fierro was named the adidas/NEC Defensive Player of the Week, as announced by league officials on Monday afternoon.

"Our defense continues to be very impressive," commented head coach Krissy Turner. "We have yielded only two goals in our last nine games, and Lia is playing well, while our team has committed itself to minimizing the other teams' chances."

Fierro, who garners her second adidas/NEC Defensive Player of the Week award this season, added three more shutouts to her career mark, lifting her total to 23 career shutouts for the Hawks. Fierro also earned the award on September 14th after recording a pair of road shutouts at Iona and Saint Peter's.

The junior netminder made three saves in Monmouth's double overtime draw with Mount St. Mary's on Tuesday and added another shutout after making one save against Wagner on Friday. Fierro then made two saves in a blanking of league-leading Long Island on Sunday.

The Hawks now have eight shutouts on the year, which have come in the last nine games, in which Monmouth has gone 7-1-1.

With 23 career shutouts, Fierro now stands third on the Hawks' all-time list for goalkeeper blankings. Lori Houlihan (1995-98) holds the top spot in program annals with 34.5 career shutouts, while Jeannette Nash (1988-91) ranks second with 30.5.

Fierro, who has played every minute so far for the Hawks between the pipes, has posted a 0.61 goals-against-average after 11 matches, and a .825 save percentage.

Midway through her third season, Fierro has registered a 31-12-6 mark for the Hawks, while making 170 saves in 51 matches - with the 23 shutouts.

Monmouth returns to action on Friday night, when the Hawks travel to Northeast Conference newcomer Bryant University, for a 7 p.m. match in Smithfield, Rhode Island.