University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: ANTHONY SORBELLINI
Patterson Named ACC Offensive Player Of The Week
September 12, 2023 | Women's Soccer
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – North Carolina women's soccer forward Avery Patterson has been named the Atlantic Coast Conference Offensive Player of the Week for the first time in her career following her two-goal performance last week, as announced by the league on Tuesday.
The Tar Heels now own half of the ACC weekly awards given through the first four weeks of the season. Patterson joins defender Savy King (Aug. 22, Sept. 5) and midfielder Sam Meza (Aug. 29) who have both earned ACC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Patterson scored in both games during No. 3 North Carolina's big weekend against two Southeastern Conference opponents on the road, which saw a 2-1 win over No. 10 South Carolina and a 1-1 draw with No. 12 Alabama. The senior co-captain has led the Tar Heels to an undefeated record of 5-0-3 thus far.
A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Patterson scored five minutes into the match in Columbia before scoring in the 59th minute in Tuscaloosa. Her goal against the Crimson Tide was on an impressive 80-yard run after receiving the ball in Alabama's half.
Both the Gamecocks and the Crimson Tide entered their respective games against UNC with three-straight clean sheets, and both teams had only allowed two goals all season prior to facing the Tar Heels. Including UNC's home game against Arkansas on Sept. 3, Patterson has scored in three consecutive games, all which have been against SEC programs ranked in the top-3 of the league's preseason coaches poll.
"She always seems to rise to the occasion. She scores goals, she creates goals, she defends, she heads well and she is one of the kindest human beings on my roster," said head coach Anson Dorrance on Patterson's recent performances. "Something I hope professional teams realize while they are sorting out who to draft and who to pay top dollar to sign: She can play any position on the field at a high level."
Patterson, who was named a forward to watch by United Soccer Coaches during preseason, leads the Tar Heels with four goals and nine points.
North Carolina returns to Dorrance Field to begin ACC play on Friday, Sept. 15, by hosting Virginia Tech at 3:30 p.m. ET. The match will serve as the team's mental health awareness game and tickets are available for purchase here.
Stay up to date with UNC women's soccer by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
The Tar Heels now own half of the ACC weekly awards given through the first four weeks of the season. Patterson joins defender Savy King (Aug. 22, Sept. 5) and midfielder Sam Meza (Aug. 29) who have both earned ACC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Patterson scored in both games during No. 3 North Carolina's big weekend against two Southeastern Conference opponents on the road, which saw a 2-1 win over No. 10 South Carolina and a 1-1 draw with No. 12 Alabama. The senior co-captain has led the Tar Heels to an undefeated record of 5-0-3 thus far.
A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Patterson scored five minutes into the match in Columbia before scoring in the 59th minute in Tuscaloosa. Her goal against the Crimson Tide was on an impressive 80-yard run after receiving the ball in Alabama's half.
Both the Gamecocks and the Crimson Tide entered their respective games against UNC with three-straight clean sheets, and both teams had only allowed two goals all season prior to facing the Tar Heels. Including UNC's home game against Arkansas on Sept. 3, Patterson has scored in three consecutive games, all which have been against SEC programs ranked in the top-3 of the league's preseason coaches poll.
"She always seems to rise to the occasion. She scores goals, she creates goals, she defends, she heads well and she is one of the kindest human beings on my roster," said head coach Anson Dorrance on Patterson's recent performances. "Something I hope professional teams realize while they are sorting out who to draft and who to pay top dollar to sign: She can play any position on the field at a high level."
Patterson, who was named a forward to watch by United Soccer Coaches during preseason, leads the Tar Heels with four goals and nine points.
North Carolina returns to Dorrance Field to begin ACC play on Friday, Sept. 15, by hosting Virginia Tech at 3:30 p.m. ET. The match will serve as the team's mental health awareness game and tickets are 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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