GREENSBORO, N.C. (theACC.com) – Notre Dame senior midfielder Kiki Van Zanten was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Women’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week, while North Carolina junior midfielder Sam Meza earned ACC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
A native of Buffalo Grove, Illinois, Van Zanten scored the eventual game-winning goals in both of No. 12 Notre Dame’s matches last week, a 3-1 triumph at Purdue on Thursday and a 3-1 home victory over Ohio University on Sunday. Van Zanten also added an assist in the Ohio match. Van Zanten helped propel the Fighting Irish to their first perfect non-conference slate (7-0) since 2008.
Meza helped No. 2 North Carolina post a 2-0 week with a 3-0 non-conference road win over No. 3 Duke on Thursday and a 2-1, come-from-behind win over UCF at home on Sunday. In the 132 total minutes Meza played last week, UNC did not allow a goal while Duke and UCF combined for just six shots. She made numerous superior defensive tackles and strips in both games, creating more possession for UNC. Meza also assisted on the Tar Heels’ second of three goals against Duke.
League play begins this weekend, with seven conference matches scheduled. ACC Network features a women’s soccer doubleheader on Thursday, beginning at 6 p.m. with High Point at NC State and followed by the first league game of the season, No. 12 Notre Dame at Clemson at 8 p.m. On Sunday at 7 p.m., No. 24 Wake Forest visits NC State on ACC Network.
2022 ACC Women’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week
Aug. 23 – Amanda West, Sr., F, Pitt
Aug. 30 – Haley Hopkins, Gr., F, Virginia
Sept. 6 – Michelle Cooper, So., F, Duke; Olivia Wingate, Gr., F, Notre Dame
Sept. 13 – Kiki Van Zanten, Sr., M, Notre Dame
2022 ACC Women’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Aug. 23 – Tori Hansen, Sr., D, North Carolina
Aug. 30 – Leah Klenke, Fr., M/D, Notre Dame
Sept. 6 – Talia Staude, Sr., D, Virginia
Sept. 13 – Sam Meza, Jr., D, North Carolina
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