Afonso Named ACC Offensive Player of the Week

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Following a late game-winning goal against No. 25 Wake Forest on Saturday that put Virginia on top of the ACC standings, the ACC announced Tuesday (Oct. 25) that Virginia’s Leo Afonso has been named the ACC Offensive Player of the Week.

Afonso proved to be the difference in a hard-fought match with Wake Forest on Saturday (Oct. 22). As the teams entered the 63rd minute of scoreless play, Phil Horton played a perfectly weighted ball into Afonso at the center of the penalty area. With a left-footed strike, Afonso sent his chance into the back of the net with power and propelled Virginia to a 1-0 win. The three points clinched a top-four finish for the Cavaliers and gives Virginia the opportunity to earn the top seed in the ACC Tournament with a win on Friday (Oct. 28) at North Carolina.

Afonso leads Virginia in total points with 15. Saturday’s goal was his sixth of the season, moving the striker into a tie for the team lead with Kome Ubogu. The strike was Afonso’s fourth game-winner of the season which is the second-highest total in the conference and the sixth-highest in the nation. Virginia is 6-0 when Afonso scores in a match this season.

With this week’s honor, Afonso becomes the fourth Cavalier to earn an ACC weekly award this season as Andreas Ueland (Sept. 27), Phil Horton (Oct. 3) and Holden Brown (Oct. 3) have each been recognized in 2022.

Up Next:
The Cavaliers will travel to Chapel Hill, N.C. to take on North Carolina in the team’s regular-season finale. A win for Virginia would clinch the top seed in the ACC Tournament and Virginia’s second ACC Coastal title in four seasons. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.