GREENSBORO, N.C. (theACC.com) – Duke sophomore forward Thorleifur Ulfarsson claimed ACC Men’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week honors, while Clemson senior defender Charlie Asensio notched ACC Defensive Player of the Week laurels.
 
Ulfarsson found the back of the net five times last week in wins against Howard and No. 14 Louisville, posting the best two-game goal scoring stretch of his career. The native of Kopavogur, Iceland, has scored in three straight games for the first time in his career. He recorded his second career hat trick last Tuesday in a 4-0 win over Howard. Ulfarsson then added two more scores Friday in the No. 4 Blue Devils’ 3-1 triumph over Louisville in a battle of the last two ACC unbeatens. He now is tied for the ACC lead with seven goals this season, despite only playing in five matches.
 
Asensio was key on the Clemson back line in the Tigers’ 2-1 victory at Wake Forest on Friday evening. He played the full 90 minutes and led the defensive effort, particularly against the potent Demon Deacon counterattack. Clemson limited Wake Forest to just five shots on the evening, and the lone Wake goal came on a first-half penalty kick. The Roswell, Georgia, native has been a workhorse for the Tigers all season, starting all but one game and playing the most minutes of any field player.
 
Eight ACC teams are in non-league action in midweek matches Tuesday. Conference play continues this weekend with four matches Friday and two Saturday. There are a pair of matches between ranked teams, with No. 23 Louisville at No. 9 Virginia Tech on Friday and No. 3 Duke at No. 13 Pitt on Saturday.
 
Five ACC teams are ranked in the latest United Soccer Coaches poll: Duke (3), Virginia Tech (9), Pitt (13), Clemson (21) and Louisville (23).
 
2021 ACC Offensive Players of the Week
Aug. 31 – Veljko Petkovic, Jr., M, Pitt
Sept. 7 – Stefan Sigurdarson, Jr., F, Boston College
Sept. 14 – Deandre Kerr, So., F, Syracuse
Sept. 21 – Jacob Labovitz, Sr., F, Virginia Tech
Sept. 28 – Matt Bailey, Gr., M, Pitt; Danny Flores, Fr., M, Virginia Tech
Oct. 5 – Thorleifur Ulfarsson, So., F, Duke
 
2021 ACC Defensive Players of the Week
Aug. 31 – George Marks, Sr., GK, Clemson
Sept. 7 – Eliot Hamill, Sr., GK, Duke
Sept. 14 – George Marks, Sr., GK, Clemson
Sept. 21 – Eliot Hamill, Sr., GK, Duke
Sept. 28 – Eliot Hamill, Sr., GK, Duke
Oct. 5 – Charlie Asensio, Sr., D, Clemson