Matt Besler has excelled both on and off the field during his four years at Notre Dame.

Matt Besler Named To Soccer America Team Of The Week

Oct. 16, 2008

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Fighting Irish senior defender Matt Besler (Overland Park, Kan./Blue Valley West) has been named to the Soccer America national team of the week for the week of Oct. 6-12. Besler posted one goal and helped the Notre Dame defense limit opponents to one goal over the course of two victories on the week.

Besler, who was named the BIG EAST defensive player of the week on Monday, scored the equalizer in the 23rd minute in a 4-1 win over Pittsburgh on Saturday (Oct. 11). The central defender also was an instrumental part of a Notre Dame defense that allowed just one goal (an own goal) in 180 minutes of play over the week. The Kansas native helped hold Michigan State’s Doug DeMartin, who entered play as the nation’s second-leading scorer, to just one shot in a 3-0 win over the Spartans last Wednesday (Oct. 8).

This marked the second such national honor for Besler this season. He was named to the College Soccer News team of the week on Sept. 8. This season, Besler has played every minute on the pitch and has helped the Fighting Irish notch five shutouts. He has started 59 straight games and has only missed one match during his stellar collegiate career.

The ninth-ranked Fighting Irish are back in action tonight at No. 22 Indiana. The instate clash is slated for a 7:30 p.m. (ET) kickoff at Bill Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington, Ind.

–ND–