INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – RMU women's soccer defender Alyssa Mella was named the Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week following her standout performance in the Colonials' 1-0 victory over Akron on Senior Day.
 
Mella played all 90 minutes against the Zips, helping lead the RMU backline to its second consecutive shutout. The Colonials' defense was dominant throughout the contest, holding Akron without a single shot on goal.
 
Offensively, Mella recorded the assist on the game-winning goal, finding Madison Sievering for the 31st-minute strike. The assist was Mella's second of the season, giving her the team lead in the category.
 
Over her last three games, Mella has recorded one goal and two assists while helping RMU post two shutouts during that stretch.
 
The weekly honor marks Mella's second career conference award. She was previously named the NEC Rookie of the Week during the 2024 season.
 
Mella becomes the second Colonial to earn a Horizon League weekly honor this season, joining Sievering, who was named the league's Offensive Player of the Week earlier this year.
 
RMU returns to action Thursday, September 10, completing its four-game homestand against UMBC. Kickoff is set for 4:00 PM and the match will stream live on ESPN+.
 
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