COLORADO SPRINGS -- BYU freshman defender Claire Thomas was named Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Monday after shutting down the No. 7 Tennessee's offense last week.
Thomas, a native of Poway, Calif., was instrumental in shutting down Hermann Trophy candidate Keeley Dowling, Canadian National Team member Rhian Wilkinson and the team's leading scorer Lyndsey Patterson.
Throughout the game Thomas stepped up for the Cougars clearing the ball and stopping the Lady Vols' attempts at a goal.
In the game Thomas had two key stops that helped hold Tennessee scoreless for the first time this season. In the first period Thomas ran down Wilkinson who was headed for a break away goal and shut down her attempt at a shot. Then with time winding down in the game, Wilkinson hit a crow-over pass in front of the goal but Thomas was there to clear the ball and help preserve the Cougar victory.
This is the first player-of-the-week award for Thomas, who at 16 is the youngest player in the MWC. It is also the second-consecutive defensive conference award for the Cougars.
The No. 12 Cougars take to the road this weekend as they compete in the Kentucky Tournament Friday and Saturday with a game against No 14 Kentucky on Sept. 12 at 7:30 p.m. (EDT) and then Iowa on Sept. 13 at 5:00 p.m. (EDT).