CONTACT: Adam Sopris, a.sopris@hvcc.edu, (518) 629-7898 or (518) 416-2137
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Thursday, October 26, 203

A pair of Hudson Valley Community College student-athletes, Josephine O'Hare and Shamarr Joppy, were recognized at NJCAA National Players of the Week in their respective sports.

Women's soccer student-athlete Josephine O'Hare was named the NJCAA National Women's Soccer Division III Goalkeeper of the Week and the Region 3 Player of the Week. O'Hare has been playing her best over the last couple of weeks which included two clean sheets with 24 saves, including one against No. 10 Onondaga. The women's soccer team used the strong play from O'Hare to secure a No. 6 seed in the NJCAA Region 3 postseason. In the first round game, O'Hare finished with another shutout win, a 1-0 win over North Country to advance to the Region 3 semifinal round.

Football student-athlete Shamarr Joppy was named the NJCAA National Football Division III Defensive Player of the Week as well as the NJCAA Region 3 Player of the Week following his dominant performance in the NJCAA Region 3 championship game, a 7-6 win over Erie.

Joppy had a career day as he collected three interceptions and seven total tackles, including one tackle for a loss in a win over Erie CC in the Region 3 Championship. Just seconds into the fourth quarter, Shamarr intercepted a pass from Erie's Eric Wilson at the Hudson Valley 35-yard line and returned it 65-yards for what would turn out to be the game-winning touchdown for the Vikings.  His final interception ended Erie's final attack as they marched down the field to the Vikings three-yard line with less than a minute in the game.