Indiana University South Bend

Cotton Earns National and Conference Recognition

11/4/2025 4:56:00 PM

KANSAS CITY --- IU South Bend goalkeeper Rylee Cotton has earned both Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) Defensive Player of the Week and NAIA National Defensive Player of the Week honors, following an exceptional performance between the posts to close out the 2025 regular season.

"Rylee has been an incredible starter and leader since she arrived on campus," said Head Coach Bobby Barnes. "She is an outstanding shot stopper but more importantly an incredible human being. The team always comes first and she will do anything to help her teammates perform at their highest."

Cotton was a defensive force for the Titans, recording two shutouts and 24 total saves across three matches last week. She posted clean sheets against Calumet College of St. Joseph and Mount Mary, while totaling 12 saves in a narrow 3-2 road loss to St. Francis (Ill.). Over 270 minutes of play, Cotton allowed just three goals for a 1.00 goals-against average and a .889 save percentage.

The award marks the final weekly honor of the season for women's soccer and caps a standout career for the senior goalkeeper, who has been a cornerstone of IU South Bend's defensive identity.

Barnes praised Cotton's impact both on and off the field, saying: "She will be incredibly missed as she is graduating early due to the amazing amount of college credits she brought to IUSB from high school. A student-athlete at the highest level — greatness on and off the soccer field!"

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