The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) unveiled its weekly soccer honors for the period of August 17–23, recognizing standout performances across the league.
Duke’s forward Mia Minestrella and Stanford’s Charlotte Kohler shared the Offensive Player of the Week award after each contributed five goals in two conference victories, with Minestrella’s hat trick underscoring her impact.
Wake Forest defender Sierra Sythe earned Defensive Player of the Week after helping the Demon Deacons record three shutouts, highlighted by a game‑winning goal against Old Dominion.
Syracuse goalkeeper Maya Naimoli was named Goalkeeper of the Week, posting seven saves and a 0.25 goals‑against average, including a clean sheet versus Princeton.
Miami freshman Zoie Fontenot captured Freshman of the Week honors after scoring in both non‑conference wins over Little Rock and Lipscomb.
The early season data paints a picture of dominance: ACC teams compiled 42 wins and 158 goals in the first two weeks, the most of any conference, while posting a 29‑3‑8 home record for an .825 winning percentage.
Moreover, ACC squads went 13‑6‑0 against peer power‑conference opponents, illustrating the league’s depth.
Player milestones are already accumulating; Minestrella leads the ACC with six goals and sits fifth in program history with 36 career goals, while Kohler joins a select group of seven ACC players with eight or more points this season.
Rising Stars and Team Momentum
The combination of individual accolades and collective success suggests that the ACC will remain a formidable force throughout the remainder of the season, challenging both regional and national powerhouses.