Shannon Kasparek, a junior goaltender, earned her first career WCHA Defensive Player of the Week honors for her efforts on Saturday against the Mavericks. The defensive honor is the fourth for the Bulldogs in the 2003-04 campaign.

Kasparek, from South Lyon, Mich. earned a win in her first start of the season Saturday (March 6) against Minnesota State, Mankato.

She not only recorder her first start of the season, but she also recorded her second career shutout as a Bulldog. Kasparek shut down the Mavericks, making 14 saves in 60 minutes. Kasparek owns a 0.91 goals against average and a .946 save percentage on the season and is 6-0-0 for her career.

UMD, now 19-11-2, 15-8-1 WCHA, will travel to Minneapolis this week to compete in the 2004 WCHA Final Five. They will play their first game on Saturday at 1:05 p.m. against Wisconsin at Ridder Arena.