Muhlenberg men's soccer junior Luke Blenis has earned his first career Centennial Conference defensive player of the week nod after a stifling week that saw the Mules go 1-0-1.

Blenis was the anchor of a defense that allowed only one goal and three total shots on net across two matches last week, including a Centennial Conference-opening shutout of Franklin & Marshall on Saturday. As the most experienced Mule on a back four that includes three players in their first year in the program, and playing in front of a goalie making the first two starts of his career, Blenis was a big reason for Muhlenberg's defensive success last week, including a 1-1 tie at regionally-ranked TCNJ.

In the F&M game, he did well on aerial set pieces as the Mules defeated the Diplomats at home for the first time since 2013. The junior's recent run of success extends beyond the past two games, as he also notched his first career goal in the Mules' 2-1 win over Neumann on September 12. It is the first time in Blenis' career that he's earned a weekly conference award, and the first this season for Muhlenberg men's soccer as a team.