EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern senior goalkeeper Tyler Miller has been named as the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, the Conference announced on Thursday. Miller made six stops to record his league-leading ninth shutout of the season on Wednesday against Wisconsin.
The honor marks the second weekly award of the season for Miller, and the seventh of his decorated career. The Woodbury, N.J., native finished the 2014 regular-season atop the Big Ten in shutouts (9), save percentage (.861) and goals-against average (0.54). His 36 career shutouts are the third-most in Big Ten history, and a Northwestern record.
Miller and the Wildcats will open the Big Ten Tournament on Sunday, Nov. 9, at 12 p.m. when they welcome the sixth-seeded Indiana Hoosiers, the nation's top-ranked team, to Lakeside Field.
Sunday's Quarterfinal will be Indiana's first visit to Lakeside Field in 2014, as the only regular-season matchup between the Wildcats and Hoosiers came September 28 in Bloomington. Behind an 88th minute goal from Brandon Medina and eight saves by Miller, the 'Cats earned a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Armstrong Stadium.
Admission for all Northwestern students will be complimentary with a WildCard courtesy of head coach Tim Lenahan. Tickets will be available on matchday at the Lakeside Field box office, or can be purchased in advance by calling 888-GO-PURPLE or visiting NUSports.com.
Northwestern has advanced to the second round of the Big Ten Tournament in each of the last three seasons, which includes a win over Indiana in the 2011 Quarterfinals in 2011 where the Wildcats broke a 1-1 tie by advancing 3-2 on penalty kicks.
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