WINONA, Minn. — There's something about playing against St. Catherine that seems to bring out the best in Saint Mary's University women's soccer goalkeeper Alexis Nguyen (West Corvina, Calif.).
 
A year ago, Nguyen recorded a career-high 10 saves in helping the Cardinals deal St. Catherine its lone conference loss of the season, a 2-1 Saint Mary's victory on Sept. 25.
 
Fast-forward 364 days, and Nguyen was at it again — stopping a new career-high 12 of the 13 shots she faced in leading the Cardinals to a 1-1 draw with the defending conference champion Wildcats.
 
And Monday afternoon, the Cardinal senior was rewarded for her efforts, being named Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week, the league office announced.
 
Nguyen kicked off her week by stopping two of the three shots she faced in 45 minutes of relief in SMU's 2-1 loss to Luther last Wednesday, before turning in her career effort against the Wildcats three days later.
 
The reigning MIAC Defensive Player of the Year, Nguyen has started six of the team's seven games in goal, owning a 1.28 goals-against-average and .826 save percentage, and has now recorded 10 or more saves in a game twice this season.
 
Nguyen and the Cardinals (0-2-1 MIAC, 2-4-1 overall) are back in action on Tuesday, when they host Gustavus in a 4 p.m. MIAC matchup at Ochrymowycz Field.