DAHLONEGA -- University of North Georgia men's soccer junior defender DJ Shin has been named as the Peach Belt Conference Defender of the Week per the league office's announcement Monday afternoon. 

Shin, a junior transfer from Bryan College, made his first start for the Nighthawks in UNG's 2-1 win over Georgia Southwestern on Saturday.

The defender was stellar in his first game as a starter, halting numerous Hurricane chances throughout the game. On the offensive side, Shin had a stellar assist on UNG's game-winning goal in the 72nd minute.

With time and space in front of the Nighthawk bench, Shin sent a looping ball over a crowd of GSW defenders that landed right on the foot of senior striker Rafael Oliveira Pais. Pais converted on the chance, leading to the 2-1 win. Shin's ball traveled some 40-yards before landing directly on target to help secure the victory. 

Shin has traveled further than anybody on UNG's roster to get to Dahlonega this season. The Seoul, South Korea native's journey has totaled 7,070 miles from his native land across the Pacific Ocean.

Most recently, Shin comes to UNG after having spent two seasons at NAIA member Bryan College in Dayton, Tenn. Shin started and played in 18 games in both his freshman and sophomore seasons. Last year, he netted four goals and dished five assists to total 13 points in his sophomore campaign.

Shin not only excels on the pitch but in the classroom as well. Last year he earned a spot on the 2023 Appalachian Athletic Conference All-Academic Team and was named an NAIA Scholar Athlete. 

He's UNG's second player (freshman forward Maxwell Mitchell) to earn a weekly honor from the conference this season. Shin is also the first Nighthawk defender since Kevin Glandon in 2016 to be awarded as the PBC's Defender of the Week, ending a 62-week drought for the UNG back line in the award.

Shin and the Nighthawks are now getting ready to hit the road to take on USC Aiken on Wednesday, Sep. 25 at 7 p.m.