CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia short-stick defensive midfielder Grayson Sallade (Lancaster, Pa.) has been named the ACC’s Defensive Player of the Week for games played Feb. 6-12, the conference office announced on Tuesday (Feb. 14). The weekly award is Sallade’s first of his career.

In his first game back since suffering a season-ending lower-body injury in 2022, Sallade shined in the Cavaliers’ season-opening win, a 17-13 decision over Michigan. He collected three ground balls and tied for a game-high two caused turnovers. Sallade and the Virginia defense held the Wolverines to just one goal in the fourth quarter and scoreless on all four of their extra-man opportunities. As a member of Virginia’s faceoff unit, Sallade helped the Cavaliers finish 18-for-32 at the center X.

The win marked Virginia’s 10th consecutive victory at Klöckner Stadium, a streak that began in 2021.

Syracuse attackman Joey Spallina was named the ACC’s Offensive Player of the Week.

No. 1 Virginia (1-0) returns to action on Saturday (Feb. 18), when the Cavaliers host No. 18 Harvard (0-0). Opening faceoff is set for 4 p.m. and will stream on ACCNX.

2023 ACC Offensive Players of the Week
Feb. 7 – Brennan O’Neill, Jr., A, Duke
Feb. 14 – Joey Spallina, Fr., A, Syracuse

2023 ACC Defensive Players of the Week
Feb. 7 – Will Mark, Sr., G, Syracuse
Feb. 14 – Grayson Sallade, Gr., SSDM, Virginia