The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced its weekly awards following Week 1 of the 2026 men's soccer season. Purdue Northwest freshman goalkeeper Estefano Alvear (Guayaquil, Ecuador/Unidad Educativa Monte Tabor Nazaret) has been recognized as this week's Defensive Player of the Week.
Alvear has made an immediate impact for Purdue University Northwest, opening his collegiate career with back-to-back clean sheets and helping the Lions begin the season with a perfect 2-0 record. Alvear started both matches during the opening week, playing all 180 minutes in goal and allowing zero goals. He opened his collegiate career with a shutout at Lewis on Thursday, making six saves while helping PNW secure a 1-0 road victory. Alvear followed that performance with another clean sheet in Sunday's 1-0 home-opening victory over Northwood, recording two saves to preserve the shutout.
Through his first two collegiate appearances, Alvear has yet to concede a goal, posting a 0.00 goals-against average and a perfect 1.000 save percentage. He has made eight saves while facing 15 total shots and has recorded two wins and two shutouts. The freshman's immediate success has been a major factor in Purdue Northwest's 2-0 start.
Beginning a collegiate career with two consecutive clean sheets is an impressive accomplishment, and Alvear has already established himself as a steady presence between the posts for the Lions.
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