Nico Benalcazar Named ACC Defensive Player of the Week
11/2/2020 2:00:00 PM | Men's Soccer
The sophomore defender has earned the weekly honor for the first time in his career after scoring the game-winning goal vs. No. 3. Clemson.
GREENSBORO, N.C. -- After scoring the game-winning goal vs. No. 3 Clemson and helping No. 2 Wake Forest preserve a clean sheet in a 2-0 victory on Friday night, sophomore Nico Benalcazar has been named ACC Defensive Player of the Week, the league has announced.
This is the first time the Wilton, Conn., native has earned the weekly honor and the fourth time a Demon Deacon has been selected for a weekly award this season, joining sophomore Omar Hernandez (Oct. 26), junior Kyle Holcomb (Oct. 5) and sophomore Calvin Harris (Sept. 28), all of whom were named ACC Co-Offensive Player of the Week.
Benalcazar scored the first of two Wake Forest goals against the Tigers, striking in the 40th minute off a cross from freshman Jahlane Forbes. It was his third career goal and first against an ACC opponent.
Defensively, Benalcazar helped Wake Forest keep Clemson scoreless, at times guiding a backline that featured three freshmen alongside him. It was the third-straight home shutout for the Demon Deacons as well.
Wake Forest, who has already secured the South Region, will close out the regular season at 7 p.m. on Saturday against NC State at Dail Soccer Field in Raleigh, N.C. The match will be televised on RSN.
