Alessia Russo continues to pick up accolades for No. 3 North Carolina, despite her season being cut short last week.
Russo, a sophomore forward, was honored with the title of ACC Offensive Player of the Year, and was one of six Tar Heels named to the All-ACC team ahead of Friday’s ACC semifinal matchup between UNC and No. 23 Clemson.
On Oct. 25th, while helping lift UNC to its first perfect conference record since 2006, Russo collided with Wake Forest goalkeeper Nonie Frishette early in the second half. The preseason MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List nominee did not return, and it was later determined that she had broken her right leg, putting an end to her sophomore campaign.
Her second year had been quite an encore for Russo. At the time of her injury, she was the team leader in goals with six and had placed 27 of her 59 shots this season on frame. She was second in the ACC in shots per game at 4.21, and seventh in points per game at 1.14. She also led the team with four game-winning goals.
This was after a first year that saw her earn co-ACC Freshman of the Year as well as being named second-team All-America, All-East Region first team and first team All-ACC. She was the MVP of the ACC Tournament and picked up ACC Offensive Player of the Week and United Soccer Coaches National Player of the Week awards during the season.
Before that, Russo had made her name as a player in Kent, England, who according to head coach Anson Dorrance, had pro teams trying to sign her out of high school. She opted to come to UNC while balancing duties with the England U20 National team.
The loss of Russo, while certainly unwelcome for the Tar Heels, does not spell doom. UNC is notably deep this year, playing 20 or more players per game at times this season. And even without its leading scorer, UNC boasts 14 other players who have scored at least one goal, and is anchored by a defense that has posted the sixth best goals against average in the nation this season.
Of the other five North Carolina players named as an All-ACC selection, three were first-team, including the second and third leading scorers on the team in Taylor Otto and Brianna Pinto. Sophomore Emily Fox was the other first-team honoree with defender Julia Ashley and midfielder Dorian Bailey earning second- and third-team honors, respectively. The naming of Otto, Pinto and Bailey to the All-ACC squad meant that the entire starting midfield got a nod.
The Tar Heels are in action Friday night against the Tigers with a spot in Sunday’s ACC Championship and a chance for UNC to defend its title on the line.
