Oct. 13, 2009

GREENSBORO, N.C. – North Carolina senior goalkeeper Brianna O’Donnell was selected as the Atlantic Coast Conference Field Hockey Player of the Week, announced Monday. O’Donnell becomes the third Tar Heel this season to garner player of the week honors as she led second-ranked (National Field Hockey Coaches Association) North Carolina to a 13-0 overall and 3-0 ACC record in wins over ninth-ranked Boston College (Oct. 10) and No. 14 Duke (Oct. 11).

O’Donnell filled in at goalkeeper for injured starter Jackie Kintzer and led the Tar Heels to their ACC-record-tying ninth consecutive shutout in a 4-0 win against the ninth-ranked Eagles. O’Donnell was charged with defending 10 Eagle penalty corners and faced nine total shots, including five on goal, and made five saves. In North Carolina’s 2-1 victory in a non-conference game over the No. 14 Blue Devils, O’Donnell again played all 70 minutes inside the cage, tallied five saves, and allowed just one goal in 12 shots faced (six on goal).

The Collegeville, Pa. native has seen action in nine games this season, including her two starts against Boston College and Duke. O’Donnell has logged 385 minutes in goal and has allowed only one score for a 0.18 goals against average. Additionally, O’Donnell has nine saves to her credit for a .923 save percentage and one shutout.

North Carolina will return to action on Saturday, October 17 for a 1 p.m. tilt against third-ranked Virginia at the University of Virginia TurfField, and will play again on Sunday, October 18 at James Madison at 1 p.m.

The ACC Field Hockey Player of the Week will be announced by 5 p.m. each Tuesday during the season. More ACC field hockey information can be accessed at theACC.com.