Lierz earns OVC Goalkeeper of the week

Junior goalkeeper Kindra Lierz of the Southeast Missouri State women's soccer team earned her second the title of Ohio Valley Conference Goalkeeper of the Week this season on Sept. 6, which makes it her seventh OVC player of the week award.

Lierz ranks third on Southeast's career top-five list for solo shutouts and fourth for total career saves. With a .941 save percentage, Lierz remains a remarkable competitor. Her career total saves is 170 and counting.

The athlete began playing soccer at the young age of 3 and has continued playing ever since.

Kindra got an abundance of playing time when she began her career at Southeast as a true freshman in 2014. Lierz started in goal all 17 games of the season and became the first player in OVC history to be voted defender and freshman of the year in the same season.

"Kindra's growth from freshman year to today has been tremendous," assistant coach Adam Kleman said. "The person and player that she is today is leaps and bounds above what she was a couple years ago."

Lierz worked with a strengthening staff over the summer as well as playing for a semi-professional team, which allowed her skills to develop to the furthest of their ability.

"She has really committed herself to the program and those commitments have allowed her to now play at the highest level she's ever played," Kleman said.

She practices 15 hours a week on average, focusing on shots on goal, ball handling and footwork.

Lierz not only wants to play well for herself, "I want to do my best for my team," she said.

Kleman discussed his expectations for Kindra for the remainder of the season.

"I expect her to be determined and prove herself. I think she will absolutely rise to the occasion," Kleman said.