DENVER – San Josè State's Kasper Poulsgaard has been named the Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week for Oct. 18-24.
Poulsgaard, a junior defender from Hedensted, Denmark (Campus Vejle), helped lead the Spartans to a Texas sweep of UTRGV and Incarnate Word last week. Helping anchor a Spartan back line that's been strong all season, the defender spent all 180 minutes on the pitch as the team allowed just one goal across the two matches.
"It is a fitting accolade for Kasper," says head coach Simon Tobin. "He has captained the team with steady, determined performances in defense and is always offering a goal threat on attacking set pieces."
Sunday's shutout in San Antonio was a historic one for SJSU as the defense allowed just one shot against its opponent. That was the lowest output for a Division I foe of San Josè State's in 20 years.
In addition to the stellar work defensively, Poulsgaard scored his team's match-winning goal in the 88th minute against the Cardinals. Perfectly reading a free kick taken by senior Rudi Castro, Poulsgaard headed the ball into goal to lift the Spartans to the 1-0 win.
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— San José State Men's Soccer (@SanJoseStateMS) October 24, 2021
San José State leads in the 88th off a wild goal! #SpartanUp pic.twitter.com/G3QVYsLzg7
This marks the first weekly honor of Poulsgaard's career and is SJSU's third Defensive Player of the Week award in the last four weeks. He is the program's first field player to win a conference Defensive Player of the Week award since 2017 (Andy Rios).
San Josè State's three Defensive Player of the Week awards this season leads the conference.
SJSU is currently enjoying a seven-match unbeaten streak and will return to action on Friday night against Chicago State. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. at Spartan Soccer Complex against the Cougars.
Other defensive nominees: Air Force's Kainoa Likewise totaled six saves as the Falcons earned a pair of home wins to stay atop the WAC table … Dixie State's Dominique Kossehasse led the Trailblazer defense in road matches at first-place teams Air Force and Grand Canyon … Grand Canyon's Anthony Munoz made five saves to secure Sunday's 3-0 win over Dixie State … Houston Baptist's JP Becerra made six saves to earn the shutout in Sunday's 2-0 win over Utah Valley … Seattle U's Akili Kasim save seven saves to secure the win in Sunday's 3-2 win at UT Rio Grande Valley.