KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The MIAA announced on Tuesday afternoon that Madeline Cowell was named MIAA Defensive Player of the Week. It is the first time in Cowell’s career that she has received the conference honor.

The senior etched her name into Griffon Soccer history last weekend, becoming the program’s all-time assists leader. In the 82nd minute, Cowell’s corner kick assist to Lillian Davis helped put the game out of reach to seal the 3-1 win against Southwest Baptist.

The assist was Cowell’s 13th of her career and her first of the 2018 season, making her the lone leader in career assists at Missouri Western. Cowell tallied seven assists last season and five assists as a sophomore, both while playing midfielder. Cowell made the switch from midfielder to defender in her senior season to help strengthen an inexperienced back line.

Cowell has been a staple of the Griffon defense all season and helped the Griffons hold their opponents to just one goal in the team’s two games over the weekend. The Griffons allowed only six shots and one shot on goal in their shutout win at Missouri Southern. Cowell has been a key contributor to a defense that allows just 1.29 goals per game this season.

— MWSU Athletics —