Sept. 6, 2007

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Elizabeth Drazdowski, a redshirt freshman on the UNC field hockey team, has been named National Player of the Week by Womensfieldhockey.com website after her performance in two Carolina wins last weekend. The Tar Heels are now 4-0 and ranked second in the nation.

Drazdowski scored the first goal of her career on Saturday against Wake Forest. Her goal, on a penalty-corner assist from Katelyn Falgowski, put UNC up 1-0. The Tar Heels would go on to win 2-1 in overtime. On Sunday against James Madison, she again scored the team's first goal, this time tipping in a pass from Britt van Beek 12 minutes into the second half. UNC went on to another 2-1 win.

A midfielder/forward from Mountain Top, Pa., Drazdowski has started three of the team's four games this season. Along with four of her Tar Heel teammates, she is a member of the U.S. Under-21 Team.

UNC senior Rachel Dawson won the Womensfieldhockey.com national honor last week.

Tar Heels rise in poll: After opening the season with four wins, one of them against second-ranked Wake Forest, UNC has moved up from third to second in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) poll. Defending-champion Maryland (4-0) remains first, garnering 19 first-place votes and 664 points. UNC is just behind with 657 points and the remaining 15 first-place votes. Connecticut (3-0) is third, Iowa (2-1, with its only loss to UNC) fourth and Wake Forest (1-2) fifth. Rounding out the top 10 are Penn State (2-1), Michigan State (4-0), Duke (2-2), Old Dominion (1-2) and Ohio (2-1).

UNC also ranks second behind Maryland in the Womensfieldhockey.com poll.

Honoring a legend: North Carolina will travel to West Chester, Pa., this weekend to play in the Vonnie Gros Classic, honoring the long-time West Chester coach. Among those Gros coached at West Chester is UNC coach Karen Shelton, who was a three-time national player of the year there. The Tar Heels will take on Villanova - receiving votes in the national poll - on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and will meet the host Golden Rams on Sunday at 2:30.