Sept. 6, 2005

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Big 12 Conference named Missouri sophomore goalkeeper Laura Buehrig (Needville, Texas / Needville H.S.) as the Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday, the first such award of Buehrig's career. Buehrig led the Tigers to wins against Indiana and Purdue this past weekend in the Big 12/Big Ten Challenge.

In Mizzou's first win of the year, a 2-0 victory over Indiana, Buehrig recorded her second-straight shutout and the fourth of her career while stopping three shots in the game. She also saved eight shots, just one short of her career high, and allowed one goal in Missouri's 2-1 win over Purdue.

Buehrig currently ranks first in the Big 12 in total saves (22), is tied for first in shutouts (two) and stands second in saves per game (5.50) and save percentage (.880). Her goals against average (0.71) also ranks fifth in the conference.

In her first two games of the season, Buehrig stopped five shots against No. 25 Arizona in the Tiger's 2-0 loss to the Wildcats and held No. 17 California scoreless in a 0-0 double-overtime contest against the Golden Bears.

As a freshman in 2004, Buehrig started 18 games in the net for the Tigers while posting a 7-9-1 record, two shutouts and allowed just 1.64 goals per game.

Buehrig's award marks the first for a Missouri student-athlete in 2005 and the second of the last three awards, dating back to former Tiger Karen Bauer's honor in the final week of 2004.