CHICAGO - Maryland redshirt senior goalkeeper Cody Niedermeier has been named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after his work in wins over Ohio State and then-No. 22 West Virginia.

After making a pair of stops to lead top-ranked Maryland to a win over league-foe Ohio State on Friday, Niedermeier posted a career-high eight saves in a road win at West Virginia Monday.

The captain from Arnold, Md., has led Maryland to five-straight shutouts, the longest streak since 1986.  

Maryland is off to its best start since the 2012 season when the team matched its best start in program history at 14-0-1, which included a tie against UCLA. Of Maryland's 12 games this season, five have been against nationally-ranked opponents including UCLA, Georgetown, Indiana, Michigan State and West Virginia.

The Terps return to conference play when they welcome Wisconsin on Friday at 7 p.m. at Ludwig Field.