Barber Named National Player of the Week

KANSAS CITY, MO. — United Soccer Coaches has named Grayson Barber the men’s National Player of the Week following his game-winning goal against NC State on Friday, Oct. 23. Barber, a junior forward from Elgin, S.C., scored his first goal of the season and the fifth game-winning goal of his Clemson career during the match. South Carolina’s Sutton Jones was named the women’s National Player of the Week.

Earlier in the day, United Soccer Coaches released its National Top 5 rankings and Clemson remained in the poll’s third position. There was no change in the men’s poll from last week’s rankings. The ACC is represented in four of the five spots, with Pittsburgh remaining atop the poll with a 5-0 record. 

Running back last week's rankings 🔄

No changes in the latest @UnitedCoaches poll! pic.twitter.com/OMSaKGalKg

— ACC Men's Soccer (@ACCMSoccer) October 27, 2020

This week’s rankings ensure that tonight’s match between No. 3 Clemson and No. 5 North Carolina will be the first top-five match in series history as the two teams meet for the 64th time. A full preview of tonight’s match can be found here.

In addition to Barber’s National Player of the Week accolade, the junior was named to the Team of the Week for both TopDrawerSoccer.com and College Soccer News earlier in the day. John Martin, a junior defender from Clemson, joins Barber on College Soccer News’ Team of the Week, while Justin Malou, a senior defender from Kedougou, Senegal, joined Barber on TopDrawerSoccer.com’s Team of the Week. This is the second time this season Barber has earned Team of the Week honors from TopDrawerSoccer.com. 

Admission to tonight’s match between Clemson and North Carolina is free for all fans, with a capacity of 1,000 spectators enforced. All fans must wear a face covering unless eating or drinking while attending matches at Historic Riggs Field this season. Tonight’s match will be broadcast on ACCN, with coverage set to start at 7 p.m.