Two Cardinals Earn All-ACC Honors

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Atlantic Coast Conference announced the women's soccer postseason awards on Thursday afternoon. Louisville's Emina Ekic and Brooklynn Rivers earned first and third team honors, respectively.

UNC sophomore forward Alessia Russo was chosen as the ACC Offensive Player of the Year, while Tar Heel coach Anson Dorrance was honored as the ACC Coach of the Year in a vote by the league's head coaches.

Boston College sophomore Sam Coffey received the nod as the ACC Midfielder of the Year, while Clemson senior Sam Staab was selected the Defensive Player of the Year. Florida State midfielder Yujie Zhao was tabbed as the ACC Freshman of the Year.

Ekic was named to the first team after an impressive sophomore campaign. She earned preseason All-ACC honors and was named to the Hermann Trophy Watch List. Coming off an injury from last season, Ekic was outstanding in ACC play this season. Ekic, the 2017 ACC Freshman of the Year, finished the regular season with six goals and five assists for 17 points. She has helped the Cardinals score in four of the last five matches, including two game-winning goals. She leads the team with 45 shots and 21 shots on goal.

Rivers earns her first ACC postseason honors with a third team selection. The junior forward has compiled her best season to date for the Cardinals. She leads Louisville in scoring with eight goals and six assists for 22 points. She also leads the Cardinals with four game-winning goals. She ranks second on the team with 30 shots and 12 shots on goal.

The complete 2018 All-ACC Women's Soccer Team and All-Freshman Team are listed below.

Offensive Player of the Year: Alessia Russo, So, F., North Carolina
Midfielder of the Year: Sam Coffey, So., M, Boston College
Defensive Player of the Year: Sam Staab, Sr., D, Clemson
Freshman of the Year: Yujie Zhao, Fr., M, Florida State
Coach of the Year: Anson Dorrance, North Carolina

First Team All-ACC
Sam Coffey, So., M, Boston College
Sam Staab, Sr., D, Clemson
Kayla McCoy, Sr., F, Duke
Deyna Castellanos, Jr., F, Florida State
Yujie Zhao, Fr., M, Florida State
Emina Ekic, So., M, Louisville
Emily Fox, So., D, North Carolina
Taylor Otto, R-So., M, North Carolina
Brianna Pinto, Fr., M, North Carolina
Alessia Russo, So., F, North Carolina
Amanda McGlynn, Jr., GK, Virginia Tech

Second Team All-ACC
Mariana Speckmaier, So., F, Clemson
Taylor Racioppi, Sr., F, Duke
Ella Stevens, Jr., M, Duke
Jaelin Howell, Fr., M, Florida State
Natalia Kuikka, Sr., D, Florida State
Phallon Tullis-Joyce, R-Sr., GK, Miami
Julia Ashley, Sr., D, North Carolina
Tziarra King, Jr., F, NC State
Ricci Walkling, Jr., M, NC State
Phoebe McClernon, Jr., D, Virginia
Bayley Feist, Sr., M, Wake Forest

Third Team All-ACC
Sandy MacIver, Jr., GK, Clemson
Miranda Weslake, R-Sr., F, Clemson
Malia Berkely, R-So., D, Florida State
Brooklynn Rivers, Jr., F, Louisville
Courtney Petersen, R-Jr., D, Virginia
Dorian Bailey, Sr., M, North Carolina
Karin Muya, Gr., F, Notre Dame
Alexa Spaanstra, Fr., F, Virginia
Taryn Torres, So., M, Virginia
Kelsey Irwin, R-Jr., D, Virginia Tech
Peyton Perea, Sr., M, Wake Forest

All-Freshman Team
Kayla Duran, Fr., D, Boston College
Delaney Graham, Fr., D, Duke
Sydney Simmons, Fr., M, Duke
Jaelin Howell, Fr., M, Florida State
Yujie Zhao, Fr., M, Florida State
Brianna Pinto, Fr., M, North Carolina
Rachel Jones, Fr., F, North Carolina
Rebecca Jarrett, Fr., F, Virginia
Alexa Spaanstra, Fr., F, Virginia
Emily Gray, Fr., M, Virginia Tech
Giovanna Demarco, Fr, M, Wake Forest

University of Louisville Athletics

Players Mentioned

Emina Ekic

Brooklynn Rivers

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