ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Sophomore goalkeeper Tomas Butkovic was recognized for stellar play in net as the Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced this afternoon.

Butkovic was rock solid for the Drake Bulldogs as he kept two opponents off the board last week. Butkovic made 10 total saves with five coming in a scoreless road draw at Kansas City on Sep. 9 and five more in a 1-0 home victory over DePaul. He kept the Roos without a goal on their seven total shots while DePaul attempted 11 without scoring for the first time in 2025. The anchor of a stellar Drake defense, Butkovic now has 18 saves and the third-best goals against average of in the league at .883. 
 
UIC's Edouard Nys earned MVC Player of the Week honors.
 
Butkovic and the Bulldogs will be back in action this Saturday, Sep. 20, for a home bout against Oral Roberts.