WASHINGTON, D.C. - Saint Joseph's junior midfielder and draw specialist Kaitlin Nieczpiel has been named Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Week following a record-setting performance in the Hawks' 22-9 win over La Salle on March 28.
 
Nieczpiel controlled the draw circle throughout the contest, setting a program record with 15 draw controls, surpassing the previous mark of 13 set in 2023. Her dominance at the draw helped Saint Joseph's dictate possession and power a balanced offensive effort in the victory.
 
A native of Wallingford, Pennsylvania, Nieczpiel became the seventh player in program history to record at least 10 draw controls in a game earlier this season against George Mason. She now ranks second on the team with 37 draw controls this season, with Saturday marking her second game of 10 or more.
 
Nieczpiel joins Riley Miller and Riley Evans as the only players in program history to post multiple games with double-digit draw controls.