INDIANAPOLIS - Avery Harding earned GLVC Defensive Player of the Week honors after a 16-save performance in Upper Iowa's season-ending draw against Lewis (Ill.). She joins Haylie Hutchinson on Aug. 31 as women's soccer players to earn the award this season.
She becomes the second player to earn the GLVC Defensive Player of the Week award for the program, joining teammate Sienna Johnson last season on Sept. 15, 2025. This is also the first time since 2021 that UIU has had two weekly award winners. Katrina Kazluski and Aimee Sees both won NSIC Defensive Player of the Week that season.
Harding's 16 saves were the fourth-most saves in a match in program history. They were also her second-most this season, one short of her 17 against McKendree (Ill.) on Sept. 12.
She finished the season with 123 saves, the ninth-most in a single season in program history. Harding's 10.25 saves per game this season led the GLVC, and she also had a conference-leading 10.70 saves per game in GLVC play. Harding finished GLVC action with a 79.3% save percentage, the fifth-best in the conference.
#0 Avery Harding (GK, 5-8, So., Council Bluffs, Iowa / Lewis Central HS)
- Tallied 16 saves in UIU's 2-2 draw against Lewis (Ill.)
- Posted her second-most saves in a match this season
- Marked the fourth-most saves in a match in program history
- Finished the season with 123 saves, the ninth-most in program history
- Recorded 10.25 saves per game to lead the GLVC
