Brown Named National Player of the Week by Top Drawer Soccer

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Following a season-high nine-save performance in a 1-0 ACC-quarterfinal victory over No. 24 Pitt, Virginia goalkeeper Holden Brown was announced Tuesday (Nov. 8) as Top Drawer Soccer’s player of the week. Brown was also included in College Soccer News’ team of the week.

In a tightly contested battle with Pitt at a rainy Klöckner Stadium, Holden Brown proved to be a difference maker for the Cavaliers. The Virginia goalkeeper set the tone early with a pair of saves in the opening minutes and remained a reliable presence between the posts through the duration of the match.

With Virginia protecting a fragile 1-0 lead, Brown was tested in the late stages of the match. Pitt’s Rodrigo Almedia fired a shot destined for the corner of the goal, only to be met an outstretched Brown and punched away, but the danger was not cleared as the ball fell to Pitt’s Lucas Rosa. With another chance fired towards the net, Brown was there once more to force it over the bar and preserve the lead that saw Virginia advance to the semifinal round of the ACC tournament.

Brown recorded a season-high nine saves surpassing a previous high of six which was also set against the Panthers. His total was just one shy of his career best. Brown’s shutout was his eighth of the season which is tied for second amongst ACC goalkeepers and ranks sixth in the nation.

Brown earns national recognition for the first time in his career after being named ACC Co-Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 27. He becomes the second Cavalier to be named player of the week by Top Drawer Soccer this season after Phil Horton was selected on Oct. 3.

Up Next:

The Cavaliers will travel to New York to take on second-seeded Syracuse in an ACC-semifinal matchup on Wednesday (Nov. 9). Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. at SU Soccer Stadium.