COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Wyoming junior defender Taylor Burton earned Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week honors for her performance this past weekend, the conference announced today.

Burton anchored a UW backline that allowed just a combined seven shots on goal from Fresno State and San José State, and surrendered zero goals. Wyoming was the only team in the MW to record two shutouts this weekend, and it was the second time this season that the Cowgirls recorded back-to-back clean sheets. Burton played every minute of both games.

The Centennial, Colorado, native recorded the game-winner against the Spartans on Sunday, Wyoming's only goal of the weekend. She also helped neutralize dangerous forwards on the opposing side in each game. Fresno's Julia Glaser entered Friday as the second-leading scorer in the conference, and was held without a single shot. San José State's Dorthe Hoppius was coming off consecutive matches with game-winning goals and was last week's MW Offensive Player of the Week. Hoppius recorded just two shots.

"It's great for her, but I also think when the team does well individuals win awards," UW head coach Pete Cuadrado said. "She works hard and brings the energy every day. She's been steady all year and we know what we're getting from her every game."

Wyoming (6-4-2, 2-1-1 MW) has only allowed one goal in conference play, the fewest of any MW team. The Cowgirls are currently fifth in the league standings. Burton has played every minute this season for UW, and both of her goals have been game-winners. The award is the first of Burton's career, and she is the second to earn a weekly honor this season after senior goalkeeper Georgia Rowntree earned the same honor four weeks ago.

The Cowgirls are back in action on the road this weekend, starting with a matchup at Nevada on 5:30 p.m. MT. Wyoming will then clash with UNLV on Sunday at 2 p.m. MT. Both games will be streamed at GoWyo.com.