Senior defender Moussa Ndiaye has been named the Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Week for the second straight time, the conference announced Monday, after leading the VCU men’s soccer team to its second consecutive shutout.

Ndiaye anchored a Rams defense that held Rhode Island to just one shot on goal in a 1-0 win, the fewest allowed against a conference opponent this season. A week earlier, VCU limited Loyola Chicago to three on-target shots in another shutout victory. 

The preseason All-Atlantic 10 center back became the first Ram this season to earn multiple weekly conference honors. Ndiaye has started every game he has been eligible for, logging more than 1,100 minutes, adding an assist, and helping VCU post four clean sheets. 

VCU players have earned four A-10 weekly awards this season: Hakim Musabbah, Rookie of the Week (Sept. 2); Trevor Maloney, Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 15); Luca Estabio, Rookie of the Week (Oct. 13); and Ndiaye, Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 27). 

The Rams close out the regular season Saturday, Nov. 1 at Sports Backers Stadium as they look to secure a spot in the Atlantic 10 Tournament.