Oct. 9, 2006

GREENSBORO, N.C. - North Carolina's Jessica Maxwell was honored as the Atlantic Coast Conference Women's Soccer Player of the Week after leading the Tar Heels to a pair of shutout victories in conference play last week.

Maxwell recorded an assist in each match and anchored the North Carolina defense that posted shutouts against two top 25 conference opponents. In Thursday's match at No. 12 Virginia, the junior defender assisted on Ali Hawkins' goal in the 33rd minute to give the Tar Heels a two-goal advantage. UNC's defense limited the Cavaliers to just eight shots, three on goal, holding Virginia scoreless for the first time since October 22, 1999, a span of nine matches.

Against No. 24 Duke, Maxwell assisted on the Tar Heels' second goal as North Carolina limited the Blue Devils to just four shots. The Colleyville, Texas native led the defensive charge that shutout Duke for the first time since October 1, 2003. North Carolina has now posted four straight shutouts and 11 overall in 2006. The last four shutouts have come during conference play.

Maxwell and the Tar Heels will return home for a pair of league matches this week. North Carolina welcomes Boston College to Chapel Hill on Thursday, followed by a Sunday afternoon match-up against the Virginia Tech Hokies. Both matches can be seen live via webcast on ACCSelect.