Clendenin is the first player to earn back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year honors, and the third straight River Hawk to be selected. Former teammate Madi Welliver won the award in 2019 while Clendenin was named the last two years.
The graduate student anchored an SU backline that conceded just 11 goals in 19 games this season, including just allowing two goals against conference opponents. More impressively, she helped the River Hawks post 11 straight shutouts from September 14 to October 19.