University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
Meza Earns ACC Defensive Player Of The Week Honor
August 29, 2023 | Women's Soccer
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – University of North Carolina women's soccer has received its second weekly honor of the year from the Atlantic Coast Conference, as senior midfielder Sam Meza was named the Defensive Player of the Week on Aug. 29.
Freshman Savy King earned the same honor on Aug. 22, as UNC now owns all of the league's defensive awards given through the first two weeks of the 2023 season.Â
A native of Dallas, Texas, Meza has anchored Carolina's midfield unit that has made it difficult for the opposing team to create any feasible scoring opportunities, let alone even cross into their attacking third.Â
The Tar Heels have limited their opponents to five shots or fewer in all four games this season: No. 10 Penn State (5), Cal (2), Wisconsin (1) and No. 24 Southern California (5). Largely in part due to Meza's efforts in midfield, North Carolina held both Wisconsin and USC shotless during the first half in back-to-back games.Â
The Badgers were only able to take one shot the entire game, while the Trojans – which were coming off a 3-1 win over No. 4 Duke just three days prior – could only break through to attempt five. UNC has not allowed a goal in over 256 minutes, dating back to last Sunday's win over Cal.
This is the second ACC defensive weekly honor bestowed on Meza in her career, as she first collected the award on Sept. 13, 2022. She was also named Third Team All-America by United Soccer Coaches a season ago.
Meza, who was one of 56 players in Division I tabbed to the prestigious MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List, also found herself on the Preseason All-ACC Team. Â
The third-ranked Tar Heels continue their five-game home stretch on Thursday, Aug. 31, by playing host to Gardner-Webb. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET at Dorrance Field with tickets available for purchase here.
Stay up to date with UNC women's soccer by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Freshman Savy King earned the same honor on Aug. 22, as UNC now owns all of the league's defensive awards given through the first two weeks of the 2023 season.Â
A native of Dallas, Texas, Meza has anchored Carolina's midfield unit that has made it difficult for the opposing team to create any feasible scoring opportunities, let alone even cross into their attacking third.Â
The Tar Heels have limited their opponents to five shots or fewer in all four games this season: No. 10 Penn State (5), Cal (2), Wisconsin (1) and No. 24 Southern California (5). Largely in part due to Meza's efforts in midfield, North Carolina held both Wisconsin and USC shotless during the first half in back-to-back games.Â
The Badgers were only able to take one shot the entire game, while the Trojans – which were coming off a 3-1 win over No. 4 Duke just three days prior – could only break through to attempt five. UNC has not allowed a goal in over 256 minutes, dating back to last Sunday's win over Cal.
This is the second ACC defensive weekly honor bestowed on Meza in her career, as she first collected the award on Sept. 13, 2022. She was also named Third Team All-America by United Soccer Coaches a season ago.
Meza, who was one of 56 players in Division I tabbed to the prestigious MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List, also found herself on the Preseason All-ACC Team. Â
The third-ranked Tar Heels continue their five-game home stretch on Thursday, Aug. 31, by playing host to Gardner-Webb. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET at Dorrance Field with tickets available for purchase here.
Stay up to date with UNC women's soccer by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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