Southeast Missourian Player of the Week: Natalie Bauwens

Natalie Bauwens has served as the Perryville girls soccer team's rock this season.

The senior goalkeeper helped her team improve to 4-3 with three consecutive victories.

The streak started when Bauwens helped the Pirates defeat crosstown rival St. Vincent 2-1.

"That's my goal in athletics," Bauwens said about the significance of defeating St. Vincent.

She made two crucial spectacular saves late in the second half to help her team to victory.

Bauwens carried the momentum into Tuesday's game at Festus. She recorded two saves in her team's 6-1 victory.

Bauwens capped her week with one save in a 3-0 shutout of Anna-Jonesboro.

"I'll argue with anybody that Bauwens is the better keeper in the area," Perryville coach Stacie Sargent said earlier this season. "I feel like her technique is good and she's smart. And she's been trained well."

Bauwens has drawn praise from the opposition all season as well. Jackson co-coach Justin McMullen raved about her earlier this month after the Indians needed overtime to beat Perryville 1-0.

"The keeper was phenomenal today," McMullen said. "She made some very, very athletic saves. I was impressed for sure."

Perryville started the season 1-3 but has found its rhythm lately, thanks in large part to the goalkeeping of Bauwens.