Courtesy of AVU Media Relations
After a record nine-save performance in a 1-0 ACC Quarterfinal win over No. 24 Pitt, Virginia goaltender Holden Brown was announced as Top Drawer Soccer’s Player of the Week on Tuesday. Brown was also included on College Soccer News’ Team of the Week.
In a hotly contested battle with Pitt in a rainy Klöckner Stadium, Holden Brown proved to be a deciding factor for the Cavaliers. The Virginia keeper set the tone early with a pair of saves in the opening minutes and remained a reliable presence between the posts for the duration of the game.
With Virginia protecting a fragile 1-0 lead, Brown was tested at a crucial moment in the game. Pitt’s Rodrigo Almedia fired a shot intended for the corner of the goal, only to meet a strained and pushed back Brown, but the danger was not averted as the ball fell on Pitt’s Lucas Rosa. With another shot shot to the net, Brown was there once again to force it over the bar and hold onto the lead that put Virginia through to the ACC Tournament Semifinals.
Brown recorded a season-high nine saves, surpassing a previous high of six that was also set against the Panthers. His total was just shy of his career best. Brown’s shutout was his eighth of the season, which is tied for second among ACC goaltenders and 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 earlier this season (Sept. 27). He becomes the second Cavalier to be named Top Drawer Soccer’s Player of the Week this season after Phil Horton was selected on October 3.
NEXT
The Cavaliers travel to New York to take on second-seeded Syracuse in an ACC semifinal game on Wednesday. Kick-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. at SU Soccer Stadium.
