CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – Louisville junior midfielder Giacomo Zizza earned Atlantic Coast Conference Men’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week honors, while SMU senior wingback Jaylinn Mitchell picked up ACC Defensive Player of the Week laurels for matches played from August 24-30, as announced Tuesday.
OFFENSIVE – Giacomo Zizza, Jr., M, Louisville (Denville, New Jersey)
• Scored two goals and added an assist in wins over Kentucky and Lipscomb.
• Delivered a dramatic performance in Louisville’s 3-2 comeback victory at Kentucky, scoring twice in the final eight minutes to erase a two-goal deficit and give the Cardinals the Battle of the Bluegrass victory.
• Scored the equalizer in the 83rd minute to bring Louisville level at 2-2, then netted the game-winner with eight seconds remaining to complete the comeback.
• Assisted on Johnny Petruso’s goal in the 3-1 victory over Lipscomb.
DEFENSIVE – Jaylinn Mitchell, Sr., M, SMU (La Mirada, California)
• Key piece in the Mustangs’ two clean sheets last week – 4-0 at No. 4 Saint Louis and 2-0 at home against LMU.
• SMU’s defense allowed just one shot on goal in the two matches.
• SMU limited Saint Louis to just five shots (one on goal) and surrendered just eight shots to LMU (none on goal).
• On top of his defensive responsibilities, Mitchell racked up three assists in the two games, with two against Saint Louis.
Men’s Soccer Notes
• League play begins Friday, with five conference matches scheduled over the weekend.
• Five ACC teams remain unbeaten: SMU (4-0), Stanford (4-0), Boston College (3-0), Louisville (3-0-1) and California (1-0-1).
• ACC teams are 32-13-8 (.679) this season.
• League programs own three wins over top-five teams: Stanford vs. No. 2 San Diego, Clemson vs. No. 3 Furman, SMU at No. 4 Saint Louis.
2026 ACC Offensive Player of the Week
Aug. 25 – Xander Sevian, So., F, Clemson
Sept. 1 – Giacomo Zizza, Jr., M, Louisville
2026 ACC Defensive Player of the Week
Aug. 25 – Beau Morrison, Jr., D, California
Sept. 1 – Jaylinn Mitchell, Sr., M, SMU