GREENSBORO, N.C. (theACC.com) - NC State sophomore forward Jameese Joseph and Virginia senior forward Alexa Spaanstra have been named ACC Women’s Soccer Co-Offensive Players of the Week, while Wolfpack freshman goalkeeper Maria Echezarreta has been tabbed ACC Defensive Player of the Week.
Joseph scored the game-winning goal in NC State's 1-0 win over third-ranked North Carolina on Saturday night in Raleigh. It was her third goal in as many matches and team-leading seventh of the season. It marked the first time in program history the Wolfpack has defeated two top-five programs in the same season (NCSU defeated No. 4 Duke on Oct. 7), and the first time NC State has beaten Duke and UNC in the same year.
Virginia’s Spaanstra contributed to both goals in Sunday’s 2-1 win against No. 17 Notre Dame to keep the Cavaliers unbeaten in ACC play and hand the Fighting Irish their first conference loss. She scored the opening goal in the match to give Virginia a 1-0 lead in the 82nd minute and assisted on what proved to be the game-winning goal just 37 seconds later. With the assist, Spaanstra moved into a tie for ninth on UVa’s all-time list.
Echezarreta collected her fourth shutout of the season in the Wolfpack’s win against the Tar Heels. The freshman tallied a career-high eight saves in the contest, including several incredible diving saves. She saw 24 shots from the UNC offense, headlined by 13 in the second half and three in the final 10 minutes.
Conference play continues Thursday with seven matches on the slate, including an ACC Network doubleheader featuring Pitt hosting Boston College for a 6 p.m. start and top-five matchup with No. 1 Florida State visiting No. 3 North Carolina at 8 p.m.
ACC Women's Soccer Offensive Players of the Week
8/24 - Amanda West, Pitt, Jr., F
8/31 - Linda Boama, Boston College, So., F
9/7 - Shayla Smart, Wake Forest, Sr., F
9/14 - Megan Bornkamp, Clemson, So., D
9/21 - Tess Boade, Duke, Gr., M
9/28 - Sammi Fisher, Notre Dame, Gr., F | Diana Ordoñez, Virginia, Jr., F
10/5 - Beata Olsson, Florida State, So., F | Emily Gray, Virginia Tech, Sr., M
10/12 - Jameese Joseph, NC State, So., F
10/ 19 - Jameese Joseph, NC State, So., F | Alexa Spaanstra, Virginia, Sr., F
ACC Women's Soccer Defensive Players of the Week
8/24 - Jaelin Howell, Florida State, Sr., M
8/31 - Claudia Dickey, North Carolina, Sr., GK
9/7 - Claire Constant, Virginia, Sr., D
9/14 - Emily Madril, Florida State, Gr., D
9/21 - Ruthie Jones, Duke, Jr., GK
9/28 - Emily Madril, Florida State, Gr., D | Alia Skinner, Virginia Tech, So., GK
10/5 - Melissa Dagenais, Miami, Jr., GK | Avery Patterson, North Carolina, So., D
10/12 - Eva Gaetino, Notre Dame, So., D
10/19 - Maria Echezarreta, NC State, Fr., GK