University of Illinois Springfield freshman goalkeeper Kevin Kardel has been named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week following a standout performance against No. 11 Lincoln on Sept. 5.

Kardel made seven saves in 90 minutes of action, helping the Prairie Stars earn a 0-0 draw against the nationally ranked Blue Tigers. The shutout marked the first of his collegiate career, as he faced 18 shots overall and kept Lincoln off the scoreboard.

UIS, picked 13th in the GLVC's preseason poll of 15 teams, held the top-ranked team in the league's preseason poll to a scoreless draw. Kardel's performance was a key part of that result, as the freshman goalkeeper kept one of the top teams in the country off the board in his first-ever conference game.

The Kent, England, native earns his first career Defensive Player of the Week award and becomes the first Prairie Star to receive the honor since Joe Brudnak in 2024.