Volmar, Pereira Earn Big Ten Men’s Soccer Weekly Honors

EVANSTON, Ill. (September 15, 2026) – After playing a pivotal role in a dominant Northwestern victory last week, Fritz Volmar (Peoria, Ill./Laurel Springs) and Dominic Pereira (Las Vegas, Nev./SAI Academy) have been honored by the Big Ten Conference, the league office announced on Tuesday.  Volmar was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, while Pereira earned the conference’s Goalkeeper of the Week nod.

Both Volmar and Pereira were at the forefront as the ‘Cats stormed to a 4-0 win over No. 2 Maryland this past Friday at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium.  The victory was Northwestern’s first over a top-five opponent since a 2-1 overtime win against No. 2 Notre Dame on October 18, 2016.

Volmar spearheaded a stout Northwestern defensive effort in which the Wildcats held Maryland without a shot in the opening 45 minutes en route to posting their first shutout of the season.  Dating back to the start of last season, the Peoria, Ill. native has played in 2,070 consecutive minutes of game action.

Pereira impressed in only his fifth collegiate start in goal, securing the second clean sheet of his career.  The Las Vegas, Nev. product was credited with three saves, as he helped shut down a high-powered Maryland attack that came into the night averaging just shy of three goals per game.

Northwestern looks to continue its perfect start to Big Ten Conference play on the road this evening against No. 19 Michigan State.  The 6 p.m. CT kickoff will be televised live on Big Ten Network.