RUSTON ââ'¬" After helping the Louisiana Tech women's soccer team come away with a win and a draw in the opening weekend of the 2017 season, Nomvula Kgoale was chosen as the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week in an announcement by the league office on Monday.

The C-USA Preseason Defensive Player of the Year selection quickly showed why the conference coaches chose her as such.

In the season opener at McNeese State, Kgoale played all but one minute in helping shutout the Cowgirls, 1-0. It marked the first win in program history over McNeese State in Lake Charles (previously 0-3).

The defender turned around two days later against Texas State and scored on her first shot attempt of the season. After a free kick into the box was punched out by the opposing keeper, the Polokwane, South Africa native took a first touch and then fired a bullet from 25 yards out to the upper-right corner.

Despite getting dinged up in the match, she still played 87 of the 110 minutes in the 1-1 draw with the Bobcats.

This is Kgoale's first C-USA Player of the Week honor of her career.

For all the latest in LA Tech Soccer, follow them on Twitter (@LATechSOC), Instagram (@LATechSOC) and Facebook (LATechSoccer) or visit the official website at LATechSports.com.