CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Announced by the league office on Tuesday, fifth year defender Vlad Walent has been named the Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Week.
Walent helped guide the Irish to a 1-0 victory at No. 17 Clemson on Friday night in the ACC opener as he assisted on the game-winning goal.
The defender was a key piece in the Irish’s first clean sheet of the season and the first time the ranked Tigers had been shutout in a match this season. The Irish also held Clemson to just four shots on goal, the fewest number of shots on goal for Clemson this season.
Walent was also a key piece in Notre Dame’s game-winning goal as he delivered a beautiful pass through a pair of defenders to Tristan Tropeano for a goal in the 88th minute.
The Irish are back at Alumni Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 15 as they host Detroit Mercy at 7:00 p.m.
88' IRISH GOAL☘️
— Notre Dame Men's Soccer (@NDMenSoccer) September 12, 2026
Tristan Tropeano finds the back of the net on the pass from Vlad Walent! pic.twitter.com/NFgP8kQvr5