Oct. 6, 2009

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Maryland senior defender Emma Thomas and North Carolina senior defender Melanie Brill put themselves on display in helping their respective teams maintain unblemished records en route to being named this week’s Atlantic Coast Conference Field Hockey Co-Players of the Week. Thomas helped improve the top-ranked Terrapins to 12-0 for the season, while Brill helped the second-ranked Tar Heels to their eighth straight shutout and an 11-0 record.

Thomas is the fourth Terp to take Player of the Week honors this season, while Brill becomes the second Tar Heel. Additionally, it is the second time in three weeks that a Terrapin and Tar Heel have shared the award. North Carolina senior forward Danielle Forword and Maryland freshman forward Janessa Pope were tabbed ACC Field Hockey Co-Players of the Week on September 22.

Thomas needed just four shots—three of which were on goal—to score two of Maryland’s three goals in a 3-0 shutout of American (Sept. 29). The Eagles were receiving points in last week’s National Field Hockey Coaches Association Top-20 poll. In a top-five match-up against third-ranked Virginia (Oct. 2), Thomas scored a goal and added an assist in Maryland’s 3-1 victory over the Cavaliers.

The High Wycombe, England, native, collected a two-game total of seven points on three goals and one assist, and placed seven of her 10 shots on goal. Thomas ranks among the ACC’s Top-10 in several statistical categories, including fifth in goals (13) and assists (eight), seventh in goals per game (1.08) and assists per game (0.67), is tied for fourth in points (34), and is sixth with 2.83 points per game.

Brill played major roles on both the offensive and defensive ends of the field in North Carolina’s 3-0 win over Wake Forest. Brill assisted the Tar Heels’ second goal of the game and sealed the win with the game’s third marker, and anchored a North Carolina defense that has pitched eight consecutive shutouts and has not allowed a goal since September 4.

The Oley, Pa., native, has scored 15 goals this season, good for third in the league, and her 1.36 goals per game is also third in the ranks. Brill is tied with Thomas for fourth with 34 points and averages 3.09 points per game, also fourth.

Maryland returns to action on Wednesday, October 7 for a game against nationally ranked Princeton at the Maryland Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex in College Park, Md. at 7 p.m. On Saturday, October 10 North Carolina will host Boston College in an ACC match-up at Francis E. Henry Stadium at 11 a.m., while the Terps take on Duke on Williams Field at Jack Katz Stadium at 1 p.m.