Contact: Taiah Gallisath, Assistant Director of Athletics Communication; story written by Alex Mielcarz, Athletics Communication Graduate Assistant
NAPERVILLE, Ill. (Sept. 15, 2026) – North Central College women's soccer player Lauren Richards was named the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin's (CCIW) Defensive Player of the Week for September 7 to 13 after anchoring a backline that allowed no goals in two commanding wins.
This marks the first weekly honor of Richards' career and the second of the season for the Cardinals. Jordan Lange won the conference's offensive player of the week last week.
Richards, a senior out of Elmhurst, has played all but seven minutes in the Cardinals' four matches this season. This week, her leadership helped the Cardinals allow just three shots on goal over the two matches.
The Cardinals defeated No. 17 Calvin 4-0 and Centre 3-0, allowing 16 total shots in the team's two games.
The Cardinals allow just .250 goals per game, ranking 19th in the nation and first in the CCIW.
In her career at North Central, Richards has appeared in 42 matches, starting 36, helping the program win the CCIW tournament the past two seasons and the regular-season title last year.
The Cardinals will look to move to 5-0 this evening, as they host the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater at 7 p.m. inside Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium.
