PORTLAND, Ore. – A standout performance between the posts in his collegiate debut has earned Montana State University Billings freshman goalkeeper Javier Hernandez the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week award announced by the conference office Tuesday.
 
"After making his collegiate debut this past weekend and single-handedly keeping us in our games, this award is very much deserved for Javier," commented MSUB head coach Alex Balog. "He has been working very hard since the beginning of the season, and we are very pleased with the progress he keeps making."
 
Hernandez was tested immediately in the Yellowjackets' first game of the season, facing 28 shots and coming up with eight saves on 10 attempts on frame. The shot total was the highest allowed by an MSUB team since the 2005 season.
 
Hernandez' stops helped keep MSUB in the game in a narrow 2-1 loss to Westminster College, and the Pittsburg, Calif., native made numerous diving and leaping saves to keep the game close.
 
Following the performance with another outstanding effort on Saturday, Hernandez made five more stops against Dixie State University. Overall, Hernandez played all 186 minutes and came away with 13 saves in his first weekend as a collegiate player.
 
Hernandez is in his first year in the program, after putting together a standout prep career at Pittsburg High School. He earned four letters in soccer and two as a kicker on the football team for the Pirates.
 
The Yellowjackets (0-2) begin their regular-season home schedule this weekend, with matches against Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State San Bernardino at the Fourth Annual Rimrock Classic in memory of Trevor Wildberger.