NEW ORLEANS – A phenomenal performance in goal Sunday night at Houston by Texas State's Caitlyn Draper saw her be rewarded as the Sun Belt Conference's Defensive Player of the Week, announced by the league office on Tuesday.
 
The freshman goalkeeper recorded a career-high 11 saves in Space City while also shutting out a Cougar squad that came into the contest ranked fourth in the nation averaging four goals per match. The shutout was the first in her collegiate career in helping the Bobcats claimed their second-ever win over a Power 5 program.
 
Draper's save total in the match is tied for the fifth most in team history. She is the first Bobcat keeper to reach double-digit saves since fellow teammate Beth Agee made 11 stops at Rice on Sept. 2, 2021.
 
The Hutto, Texas native also played the final 45 minutes of the 4-0 victory over Texas Southern to help clinch head coach Steve Holeman's 300th career victory.
 
Draper is the first Texas State freshman to earn a weekly honor since Michelle Bucy in 2011 (Defensive) and is just the second Bobcat freshman goalkeeper to claim a player of the week accolade, the first being Natalie Gardini in 2010.
 
Next up for Draper and the Bobcats is the Sun Belt opener against Louisiana that will kickoff at 1 p.m. from the Bobcat Soccer Complex on Sunday.
 
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