University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
Forrest Wins First ACC Defensive Player Of The Week Honor
February 11, 2025 | Women's Lacrosse
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – After playing a key role in North Carolina women's lacrosse's 2-0 weekend to start the 2025 season, defender Sam Forrest has been named the first Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Week. The league announced its weekly awards on Tuesday.
This is the first such honor of Forrest's career. She is the first Tar Heel to win the conference's defensive weekly accolade since Alecia Nicholas on Feb. 14, 2023.
A redshirt junior, Forrest anchored a Tar Heel defense which allowed just three goals combined between its two games during opening weekend. Carolina beat No. 18 James Madison, 14-2, on Friday before defeating Liberty, 23-1, on Sunday.
The Glastonbury, Connecticut native had one ground ball and one draw control against the Dukes in Friday's season opener while helping hold them scoreless during the first and third quarters. She also kept JMU's Maddie Epke – its top returning scorer – to just one goal, which was off an unforced goalie turnover.
On Sunday at Liberty, Forrest had one ground ball and one caused turnover. She also scored her first career goal which came less than five minutes into the first quarter. Forrest was critical in limiting Liberty to only one goal, which matched the UNC school record for fewest goals allowed for the fifth time in program history, and first time since 2021.
Additionally, the Flames were held scoreless for nearly 55 minutes, and they were kept to just seven shots total.
Forrest and the Tar Heels return to Dorrance Field on Saturday, Feb. 22, for a big ACC matchup against Syracuse. First draw is set for noon ET and tickets are available for purchase here.
Stay up to date with UNC women's lacrosse by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
This is the first such honor of Forrest's career. She is the first Tar Heel to win the conference's defensive weekly accolade since Alecia Nicholas on Feb. 14, 2023.
A redshirt junior, Forrest anchored a Tar Heel defense which allowed just three goals combined between its two games during opening weekend. Carolina beat No. 18 James Madison, 14-2, on Friday before defeating Liberty, 23-1, on Sunday.
The Glastonbury, Connecticut native had one ground ball and one draw control against the Dukes in Friday's season opener while helping hold them scoreless during the first and third quarters. She also kept JMU's Maddie Epke – its top returning scorer – to just one goal, which was off an unforced goalie turnover.
On Sunday at Liberty, Forrest had one ground ball and one caused turnover. She also scored her first career goal which came less than five minutes into the first quarter. Forrest was critical in limiting Liberty to only one goal, which matched the UNC school record for fewest goals allowed for the fifth time in program history, and first time since 2021.
Additionally, the Flames were held scoreless for nearly 55 minutes, and they were kept to just seven shots total.
Forrest and the Tar Heels return to Dorrance Field on Saturday, Feb. 22, for a big ACC matchup against Syracuse. First draw is set for noon ET and tickets are available for purchase here.
Stay up to date with UNC women's lacrosse by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
Defender
/ Women's Lacrosse
Goalie
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