Sept. 25, 2006

Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina junior goalkeeper Laura Armstrong has been named SEC Defensive Player of the Week following a pair of shutouts in Carolina’s wins over Alabama and nationally ranked Auburn on the road this past weekend.

Armstrong came up big in goal this week for USC with three saves in the 2-0 victory against the Crimson Tide and four saves as well in a 1-0 win over Auburn, ranked as high as No. 13 in the nation last week. Sunday’s win at Auburn was the first time in school history that USC has defeated a ranked opponent on the road. Carolina is 8-3 on the year, 2-0 in SEC play and currently rides a five-game winning streak into this weekend’s matches vs. Tennessee and Georgia at home at Stone Stadium.

Armstrong has started all 11 matches for the Gamecocks this year and has been strong between the posts with a 0.49 goals against average and just five goals allowed the entire season. Her goals against average leads the SEC. She has also posted four individual shutouts as well as a part of two team shutouts as well. The Gamecock defense has limited its opponent this season to one goal or less in all 11 matches played this year.