Luke Hansen helped anchor the backline of the Red Storm’s two wins in North Carolina last weekend. (Photo courtesy of the St. John’s SID)

QUEENS, N.Y. – After anchoring the Red Storm’s defensive efforts during a 2-0-0 weekend in North Carolina, St. John’s University sophomore Luke Hansen has been named the Big East Defensive Player of the Week, it was announced on Monday afternoon.

The honor marked the first of Hansen’s collegiate tenure, as the center back made his second and third career starts in the Tar Heel State.

Hansen played all but a few seconds in 196 minutes of scoreless action for the Red Storm this weekend, as the Johnnies held Appalachian State and NC State off the score sheet two victories. The Mountaineers managed eight shots Friday night, only two of which were on target. Two days later, the Wolfpack mustered seven attempts, only sending one on goal after more than 90 minutes.

Hansen was one of three Johnnies to log more than 195 minutes on opening weekend, joining fellow center back Matt Chandler and midfielder Brandon Duarte.

The Red Storm, which defeated an Atlantic Coast Conference foe for the first time since 2010, is off to its first 2-0-0 start since 2008. That team finished that season 19-3-3 and made the program’s fourth appearance in the College Cup. NC State finished one spot out of the United Soccer Coaches preseason Top 25.

The Johnnies will welcome Manhattan College in their home opener at Belson Stadium Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.