CARY, N.C. – Carolina RailHawks goalkeeper Brad Knighton was named the NASL Defensive Player of the Week for Week 17, the league announced on Monday.

Knighton made three saves and picked up his sixth shutout of the season in Saturday’s weather-shortened 1-0 win over Atlanta at WakeMed Soccer Park.

Knighton made his biggest save of the night in the 29th minute. Atlanta’s Willie Hunt flicked on a corner kick to teammate Matt Horth, who was unmarked in front of the goal. Knighton somehow flew across the goalmouth and smothered the chance.

This is the third time this season Knighton has been chosen as Defensive Player of the Week, and it’s the 12th time a member of the RailHawks has been honored as offensive or defensive player of the week this season.

“It’s definitely an honor, “Knighton said. “And it’s nice for our backline because it’s been a while, maybe three or four weeks, since our last shutout. It was nice to put a zero on the board, even if it was only for a short time. Things are coming together and we’re heading in the right direction. Hopefully, it will continue.”

Knighton has played all 1,580 minutes of the RailHawks’ season in goal. He leads the league in goals against average (0.788) is tied for the league lead in shutouts (six) and is second in saves (77). He’s already broken the club record for goalkeeper wins in a season (14) and he’s on pace to set a new single-season saves record.

Knighton and the RailHawks play their next two matches on the road – Saturday at Ft. Lauderdale and Aug. 13 at Puerto Rico – before returning to face Minnesota on Aug. 17 at WakeMed Soccer Park.