ELMHURST, Ill. - North Dakota State senior goalkeeper Kalani Bertsch was named Summit League Defensive Player of the Week by the league office on Monday, Oct. 17.

The Ventura, Calif. native earned two league shutouts this weekend to give the Bison sole possession of first place in the league standings.  She made three saves in the 3-0 win over IPFW on Oct. 14 and stopped a season-high eight shots in the 1-0 victory over Oakland on Oct. 16.

Bertsch is tied for first in NDSU history and tied for third in Summit League history with eight shutouts this season.  She is also second in career shutouts at NDSU with 18. 

It is NDSU's second defensive player of the week award this season as Abbey Moenkedick earned the honor on Aug. 22.

Oral Roberts' Maria Grados was named offensive player of the week after scoring game-winning goals against IUPUI and Western Illinois.

North Dakota State (13-2-1, 6-0-0 Summit) travels to unbeaten UMKC on Friday, Oct. 21 with a chance to clinch a berth in the league tournament.  The Bison play at South Dakota Sunday, Oct. 23 and close out the regular season at South Dakota State on Oct. 29.