GREENSBORO, N.C. (theACC.com) – Virginia senior forward Philip Horton was named Atlantic Coast Conference Men’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week, while UVA sophomore goalkeeper Holden Brown and Syracuse senior goalkeeper Russell Shealy shared ACC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Horton recorded a career-high five points with two goals and an assist in Virginia’s 3-1 victory over No. 10 Pitt, the team’s second consecutive road victory over a top-10 opponent after knocking off No. 3 Syracuse on Sept. 24. A native of New Albany, Ohio, Horton was involved in all three of Virginia’s goals. He helped Virginia to jump out in front early as he scored his first goal in the opening minute of play. After the score was leveled, Horton’s pass set up Reese Miller's game-winning goal with less than 30 minutes to play. Horton and his striker partner Leo Afonso's pressing style paid off late as heavy pressure from Afonso forced a poor back pass from Pitt. Horton collected the ball and slotted it home to record the first brace of his career.
Shealy earned ACC Defensive Player of the Week honors for the second time in the last three weeks. On Friday against Virginia Tech, he picked up his sixth clean sheet of the season, which is tied for the national lead, as Syracuse claimed a 1-0 victory. The native of Cartersville, Georgia, recorded four saves and faced 11 shots as the seventh-ranked Orange improved to 8-1-1 on the season.
A native of Zionsville, Indiana, Brown recorded a season-high six saves in Virginia’s road victory over No. 10 Pitt as the Cavaliers picked up their first win in their last six matches against the Panthers. In addition to his saves, Brown routinely came off his line to block attempts from Pitt and smother potential scoring chances.
There are six non-conference matches scheduled for Tuesday, including Virginia entertaining No. 13 Denver at 6 p.m. Notre Dame also plays at in-state rival Indiana at 7 p.m. Wednesday in a rescheduled match. Five league matches are on the Friday schedule, including a top-20 matchup between No. 17 Clemson and No. 10 Pitt at 8 p.m., with ACC Network televising. In the lone match Saturday, Louisville visits Notre Dame at 7 p.m.
2022 ACC Men’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week
Aug. 30 – Ousmane Sylla, Jr., F, Clemson; Bertin Jacquesson, Jr., F, Pitt
Sept. 6 – Conor Kelly, Gr., M, NC State
Sept. 13 - Shakur Mohammed, So., F/M, Duke; Roald Mitchell, So., F, Wake Forest
Sept. 20 – Levonte Johnson, Sr., F, Syracuse
Sept. 27 – Aboubacar Camara, Jr., F, Louisville
Oct. 4 – Philip Horton, Sr., F, Virginia
2022 ACC Men’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Aug. 30 – Christian Curti, Sr., D, Syracuse
Sept. 6 – Prince Amponsah, Jr., D, Wake Forest
Sept. 13 – Jackson Gilman, Fr., D, Pitt; Garrison Tubbs, Jr., D, Wake Forest
Sept. 20 – Russell Shealy, R-Sr., GK, Syracuse
Sept. 27 – Andreas Ueland, Sr., D, Virginia
Oct. 4 – Holden Brown, So., GK, Virginia; Russell Shealy, R-Sr., GK, Syracuse