PORTLAND, Ore. – After helping to guide the Montana State University Billings men's soccer team to an undefeated opening weekend, defender Kolja Thomas was selected as the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week.
 
It was the first career Player of the Week selection for Thomas, a center back from Butjadingen, Germany. The sophomore played in all 90 minutes of both the Yellowjackets games this weekend, a 2-1 win over South Dakota Mines, and a 1-0 victory against Carroll College. Thomas's 37^th minute goal from a corner kick proved to be the game winning goal in the game against South Dakota Mines, and he helped lead a backline that allowed just four shots on goal all weekend.
 
"Kolja is picking up right where he left off at the end of his freshman campaign," said Yellowjackets head coach Aaron Champenoy. "He's started the season in great form, and has been a huge presence for us on both sides of the ball."
 
Thomas and the Yellowjackets (2-0) return to play Wednesday, September 6 at 7 PM for a rematch against South Dakota Mines in Rapid City, before staying in South Dakota to face off against Texas A&M International University on Friday, September 8 at 2 PM. Live coverage of all this week's action can be found online here.