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West Hartford, Conn. native scored game-winning goal in 1-0 victory at American International on Saturday
EASTON, Mass. (October 6, 2014) – Stonehill College sophomore back Claire O'Brien (West Hartford, Connecticut/Hall) has been named the Northeast-10 Conference Defensive Player of the Week for women's soccer, it was announced this afternoon by the league office.
O'Brien scored the game-winning goal on a free kick from 25 yards out in the 89th minute of Stonehill's 1-0 victory at American International College on Saturday. The sophomore played all 90 minutes of the match, leading a stingy defensive unit that posted its fifth shutout in eight matches this season.
The West Hartford, Connecticut native scored her first collegiate goal in Stonehill's season-opening, 4-2 victory over Assumption College in the Catholic Cup. O'Brien is one of four Skyhawks to have started all eight matches this fall, and she has started all 26 of Stonehill's contests since the start of her freshman season.
O'Brien, who is being recognized by the NE-10 for the first time in her career, has been a key cog in a Stonehill defense that has given up just seven goals all season, which is tied for the fourth fewest in the conference. Stonehill's five shutouts are tied with Le Moyne College for second in the NE-10, behind only top-ranked Saint Rose's eight clean sheets.
At the conclusion of last season, O'Brien was recognized by the New England Women's Intercollegiate Soccer Association (NEWISA) with All-New England second team honors. She was also named to the inaugural Catholic Cup All-Tournament team in 2013.
A 2013 graduate of William H. Hall High School in West Hartford, Connecticut, O'Brien was a four-year letter winner for head coach Scott Ferguson. She earned Central Connecticut Conference (CCC) All-West Division honors as a junior and senior, in addition to All-Academic accolades all four years.
Stonehill (6-1-1, 4-1-1 NE-10) is back in action tomorrow with the first of three home matches this week and four consecutive contests at Skyhawk Field overall. Stonehill is set to host the University of Bridgeport on Tuesday, followed by Southern New Hampshire University on Thursday in a makeup of the October 1st postponement, and finally Assumption on Saturday.
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