Sam Balek, the heart and soul of the Panther defense, received the Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week award last week.

Balek, a junior defender for the Eastern women’s soccer team, is regarded as one of the conference’s elite defensive players.

This is the second time in Balek’s career that she has won OVC Defensive Player of the Week.

“It is a great honor and I am very happy to win the award and to represent my team and Eastern in the Ohio Valley Conference,” Balek said.

Balek has received multiple awards throughout her career as a Panther.

The lockdown defender was the 2008 OVC Newcomer of the Year in her freshman season.

Balek has been named to the Ohio Valley Conference 2nd Team in each of the past two seasons. Balek also received an athletic academic award in 2009.

Sam Balek began her soccer career at Arizona State University before transferring to Eastern Illinois University.

“I was home sick and missed my family and friends,” Balek said. “That made my decision easy to come back closer to home and play.”

Balek’s main goal is to win a championship. The Panthers are currently in the upper half of the standings in the OVC, and will be in the title chase throughout the season.

“I am committed to playing my hardest in every game and to the best of my abilities to make our team, the best team,” Balek said.

Balek is leading the Panther defense this season and will continue to do so throughout the season, and her career.

“I love the girls on the team and the coaches,” Balek said. “They have taught me how to push myself and be a better teammate. I like all the activities and the bonding the team does together.”

Balek and the Panthers’ will be back in action this weekend as they battle Green Bay on Friday at 7 p.m., in Green Bay, Wisc. and Indiana State on Sunday at noon, in Terre Haute, Ind.

Jordan Pottorff can be reached at

581-7944 or [email protected].