PSU goalkeeper Taylor earns defensive honors

Penn State junior goalkeeper Conrad Taylor (Colorado Springs, Colo.) was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for his standout performance in the Nittany Lions' 3-1 victory over Michigan State on Sun., Sept. 17 at Jeffrey Field. The conference honor is the seventh of his Penn State career.

Taylor recorded a season-high nine saves en route to his 24th career victory and the Nittany Lions' ninth consecutive win against a conference opponent. No save was more impressive and, perhaps, more important than the one he registered early in the second half. With Penn State holding a 1-0 lead, Spartan forward Doug DeMartin got behind the Lion defense with the ball, setting up a one-on-one chance with Taylor. Charging out to meet DeMartin, Taylor slapped away a sure goal with his right hand, preserving the advantage.