Barrett Named ACC Defensive Player of the Week

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Feb. 18, 2014

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia goalie Matt Barrett has been named the Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Week, as announced by the league on Tuesday afternoon. It is the first career honor for the freshman from Glenmoore, Pa.

Barrett’s defensive efforts helped lead Virginia to an 11-10 road victory in front of his hometown crowd on Sunday at Drexel in Philadelphia. The goalie made a career-high 16 saves, many coming from short range and in quick succession.

The save of the day came with three seconds remaining in the game. After Mark Cockerton pushed UVa ahead with 15 seconds remaining, 11-10, Drexel’s faceoff specialist Nick Saputo won the ensuing faceoff despite playing a man down when Ben McIntosh was charged with tripping during the game-winning goal sequence. Saputo pushed the faceoff toward the UVa defense and was able to rifle a shot while being pushed from behind from Chris LaPierre. Barrett made the save and Drexel threw away the restart after LaPierre was sent to the box to serve his penalty, solidifying the win. Barrett also picked up two ground balls.

Barrett is the first Cavalier to be named the ACC Defensive Player of the Week since goalie Rob Fortunato on March 6, 2012. He is also the second Cavalier this season to earn a weekly award. James Pannell was named the ACC Offensive Player of the Week on Feb. 11.

Syracuse’s Dylan Donahue was this week’s ACC Offensive Player of the Week.

Virginia returns to action on Saturday when the Cavaliers return to Klöckner Stadium to host Rutgers. Faceoff is set for 5 p.m.