United Soccer Coaches Select Phil Horton as National Player of the Week

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Following a five-point performance against No. 10 Pitt on Friday, Virginia’s Phil Horton has been recognized by the United Soccer Coaches as the national player of the week on Wednesday (Oct. 5). The announcement comes after Horton was named the player of the week by Top Drawer and College Soccer News on Tuesday (Oct. 4). Horton was also honored by the ACC as the Offensive Player of the week.

Horton claims the national honor following an outstanding performance on the road at No. 10 Pitt where he was involved in each of Virginia’s goals on the way to a 3-1 victory.

Horton was an early catalyst for Virginia as he got the game off to a flying start with a goal in just the second minute of play. After the score was leveled before halftime, it was an incisive pass from Horton that set up an easy flick on to Reese Miller who put the Cavaliers ahead once more. The high-pressing style of Horton and his strike partner Leo Afonso paid off late as Afonso forced an errant pass from Pitt high up the field. Horton was quick to collect the ball and fire it home to seal Virginia’s second consecutive victory over a top-10 opponent.

Horton’s five points mark a career-high for the forward and rank as the third-highest single-game total of any ACC player this season. His pair of goals at Pitt bring his season total to four, just one behind Leo Afonso and Kome Ubogu for the team lead. Horton’s 10 points this season ties him for the fifth-highest total in the ACC this season. He becomes the first Cavalier to record multiple goals in a match this season.

UP NEXT FOR VIRGINIA:

The No. 21 Virginia men’s soccer team will host No. 2 Duke at Klöckner Stadium on Friday night (Oct. 7) for a 7 p.m. kickoff. Virginia trails Duke by just one point in the ACC Coastal standings.