COLORADO SPRINGS – Fort Lewis College goalkeeper Christine Schmelzle was named Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week today for the second time this season, RMAC Assistant Commissioner Sarah Meier announced today.

“Her confidence is growing and her communication kept the back four organized in front of her all weekend,” said fourth year Skyhawk head women's soccer coach Damian Clarke. He said that Schmelzle's six-save effort in a 2-0 win at New Mexico Highlands on Sunday was the goalkeeper's best performance of 2010.

Schmelzle, a 5-foot-9 senior from Coconino High School in Flagstaff, Ariz., also made one save in 70:05 of shutout action last Friday in a 3-1 win at Adams State. The lone Grizzlies goal came on a penalty kick against FLC's backup goalkeeper, Amanda Raso.

Schmelzle, known as “Cricket” to her teammates, was a Preseason All-RMAC selection and a first team RMAC All-Academic performer in 2010. She has earned RMAC Player of the Week honors three times during her career, including earlier this season on Sept. 8. She first received the conference recognition on Sept. 1, 2009.

She was also previously chosen as Most Valuable Player of RMAC Tournament, second team All-RMAC, D2 Athletic Directors Association/WeatherPORT Academic Achievement Award recipient and RMAC All-Academic second team as a junior in 2009.

The Skyhawks (15-1-1 overall, 11-1-1 RMAC) are ranked No. 4 in the latest NSCAA/HendrickCars.com NCAA Division II rankings. With Sunday's win at New Mexico Highlands, they clinched at least a share of the 2010 RMAC regular season title.

Fort Lewis concludes its regular season schedule at 1 p.m. Sunday when it hosts Regis (12-4-1, 9-2-1) at 1 p.m. Sunday at Dirks Field. With wins against Adams State (4-11-1, 3-8-1) on Friday and FLC on Sunday, the Rangers would tie the Skyhawks for the RMAC regular season crown.

The Skyhawks will also host the 2010 RMAC women's soccer championships the following week. Semifinal games are scheduled at noon and 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 5, with the championship to be 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 7. Please note that time reverts from Mountain Daylight Time to Mountain Standard Time on Nov. 7.