AUGUSTA – The University of North Georgia's Bailey Vessell has been announced as the Peach Belt Conference's women's soccer Defender of the Week. She is the only field player to have played every single minute this season for UNG.

Along with being the model of consistency, she has helped lead a back line that has given up just two goals this season. Vessell helped shut out reigning Gulf South Conference champion Lee on Sunday night. The shutout was the first time Lee had been shut out since the spring season of 2020.

The Nighthawk defense has played against two 2021 NCAA Tournament teams that were picked to win their conference this season and have given up just one goal total in those two contests.

The PBC Defender of the Week will be able to defend that title when Georgia Southwestern comes to the UNG Soccer Field at Lynn Cottrell Park for the PBC opener on Saturday evening at 5:30 p.m.