September 20, 2010 HAMDEN, Conn. - Quinnipiac University junior women's soccer player Furtuna Velaj (Stamford, Conn.) has been named the adidas/Northeast Conference Co-Player of the Week after registering a hat trick in the Bobcats' 3-1 victory against perennial regional power Dartmouth on Friday. The hat trick was the fourth of Velaj's career, while the NEC honor is also the fourth of her career. Velaj shares the award with Central Connecticut's Beth Lloyd, who also had a hat trick Friday against Hartford.

Velaj scored three goals Friday against a Dartmouth team that shut out national power Penn State, 1-0, on Sunday. The Nittany Lions ranked as highly as No. 12 nationally this season. The award is Velaj's first adidas/NEC Player of the Week award this season. The junior's first goal was unassisted off of a free kick followed by two more off helpers from teammate Kemesha Woodfine. The final goal came with just minutes remaining in the second half to secure the Bobcat 3-1 victory. Velaj's efforts against Dartmouth gave Quinnipiac its first victory of the season.

The Bobcats' winning ways carried on through the weekend, as the squad triumphed over Rhode Island 1-0. Velaj now has four goals, one assist and nine points on the season.

Quinnipiac returns to action Sunday, when it opens NEC play by playing host to rival Central Connecticut. The match is scheduled for noon at the Quinnipiac Soccer Field.