Penn State men’s soccer defender Matthew Henderson was named the Big Ten’s Defensive Player of the Week, the conference announced Tuesday.

The captain scored the equalizing goal and assisted the winning goal in Penn State’s 2-1 comeback victory against St. John’s. He scored his second Olimpico goal this year in the 75th minute before setting up Michael Hewe’s game-winner in the 81st.

Henderson has started in all nine games this season, leading the team with eight points through three goals and two assists. Throughout his 40 games as a Nittany Lion, the defender has recorded four goals and 10 assists.

This marks his first Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week award and Penn State’s first since goalkeeper Kris Shakes won it in September 2023. Henderson and the Nittany Lions are 4-5 so far on the year and 1-2 in the Big Ten.

Penn State will return to play against Maryland at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, October 1. The game will be streamed on the Big Ten Network.