Sept. 17, 2007

EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern men's soccer goalkeeper Misha Rosenthal (Miami, Fla./Gulliver Prep) has been named the Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week it was announced by the Conference office Monday. It is the first such honor for Rosenthal in his career.

He shares this week's honor with Wisconsin goalkeeper Alex Horwath. Rosenthal is the first Northwestern player to earn the honor since Will Briley picked up the award Oct. 3, 2005.

The sophomore posted a pair of shutouts in net as the 10th-ranked Wildcats won the title at the Northern Illinois University adidas/Baymont Inn Invitational last weekend. He helped Northwestern blank Butler Friday and UMKC Sunday each by scores of 3-0. Rosenthal made two saves in each match and lowered his goals-against average to a miniscule 0.32 while raising his season shutout total to four. He also contributed to the NU scoring attack in Friday's victory over Butler by recording his first career assist.

The 10th-ranked Wildcats are off to a 5-0-1 start, marking their best record to open a season in school history. Northwestern returns to action at noon Central time Sunday when it travels to Ohio State for a match that will be televised live by the Big Ten Network.