SOMERSET, N.J. -- Freshman goalkeeper Malene Nielsen was named NEC Rookie of the Week by the Northeast Conference's office on Tuesday afternoon. The Danish goalkeeper earned her first career clean sheet and her first career win, securing the honors for her. 

On Thursday night against Saint Joseph's, Nielsen was vital in keeping the Knights level throughout the entire match and ensuring a momentum-building 0-0 double-overtime draw. Nielsen made eight saves, including several key, late, saves to help in sending the match to the overtime periods. Nielsen was also an important last line of defense on set pieces, as she and the Knights repelled seven corner kicks in the first half alone, and nine in total. 

On Sunday afternoon at Fordham, Nielsen followed up her first career clean sheet with the first win of her collegiate career. Nielsen helped keep the Rams off the board for the first 72 minutes of the match, logging nearly 190 cumulative scoreless minutes over her last three matches. In addition to the win, she made a pair of saves in the match. 

Nielsen's composure and ability to both make saves and distribute the ball effectively have made helped to make her a key reason for the recent successful results for the Knights. 

On the Knights' goalkeeper, head coach Eric Teepe said, "It has been great to see the progress that Malene has made since she arrived this year. You can slowly see her skill set and her leadership growing daily. Obviously we are extremely excited about her potential future, and we are glad she is a Knight."

Nielsen and the Knights are back in action on Thursday, September 2, as they travel to South Orange, New Jersey to battle Seton Hall at 6 p.m.