Maylen Montoya Tabbed Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week
September 15, 2026 | Women's Soccer
ROSEMONT, Ill. – After leading the No. 11 Huskies to a 2-0-0 week with a pair of clean sheets, Washington outside back Maylen Montoya has been named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for Week Five, announced Tuesday by the conference office.
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UW's first weekly award of the season and the second of Montoya's career, the second year defender was also named to TopDrawerSoccer's Team of the Week for her efforts.
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Logging all 180 minutes in UW's two victories, Montoya locked down the right side of the field all week long for the Huskies as the Washington defense allowed just nine combined shots during the two matches.
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The Pleasanton, California, native showed out on both sides of the pitch in UW's 2-0 win over Maryland Thursday, delivering the match-winner with a sumptuous strike from long distance in the first half, firing into the upper 90. Behind a dogged defensive effort all night long, UW allowed the Terrapins a meager two shots in the match, none on target.
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Montoya and company once again proved a tough nut to crack in Sunday's 1-0 victory over Rutgers, making Jadyn Holdenried's early penalty shot conversion hold up for the final 80 minutes of action.
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The Scarlet Knights rarely supplied a legitimate threat to the Husky goal, finishing the match with just seven attempts at frame, placing two on target.
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The pair of clean sheets give the Huskies six total through eight matches. Washington's two goals conceded in 2026 are the fewest through eight matches in program history.
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For news, scores, highlights and more, download the Go Huskies app on your mobile device. Follow @UW_WSoccer on Instagram, X, Threads, Facebook and TikTok and subscribe to UW Athletics on YouTube for the latest on the Dawgs.
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UW's first weekly award of the season and the second of Montoya's career, the second year defender was also named to TopDrawerSoccer's Team of the Week for her efforts.
Â
Logging all 180 minutes in UW's two victories, Montoya locked down the right side of the field all week long for the Huskies as the Washington defense allowed just nine combined shots during the two matches.
Â
The Pleasanton, California, native showed out on both sides of the pitch in UW's 2-0 win over Maryland Thursday, delivering the match-winner with a sumptuous strike from long distance in the first half, firing into the upper 90. Behind a dogged defensive effort all night long, UW allowed the Terrapins a meager two shots in the match, none on target.
Â
Montoya and company once again proved a tough nut to crack in Sunday's 1-0 victory over Rutgers, making Jadyn Holdenried's early penalty shot conversion hold up for the final 80 minutes of action.
Â
The Scarlet Knights rarely supplied a legitimate threat to the Husky goal, finishing the match with just seven attempts at frame, placing two on target.
Â
The pair of clean sheets give the Huskies six total through eight matches. Washington's two goals conceded in 2026 are the fewest through eight matches in program history.
Â
For news, scores, highlights and more, download the Go Huskies app on your mobile device. Follow @UW_WSoccer on Instagram, X, Threads, Facebook and TikTok and subscribe to UW Athletics on YouTube for the latest on the Dawgs.
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Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Soccer
MF
/ Women's SoccerSunday, September 13
Sunday, September 13
Friday, September 11
Friday, September 11
