Sept. 6, 2016
by Tony Jones
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Following a six-point performance in wins over a pair of top 25 national foes, University of Notre Dame men’s soccer junior forward Jon Gallagher was recognized as the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Offensive Player of the Week and the College Soccer News National Player of the Week on Tuesday. Gallagher was the first Notre Dame player to earn conference weekly accolades during the 2016 season.
Gallagher broke through for the tying goal for No. 1 Notre Dame (4-0-0) in the 86th minute against defending NCAA champion Stanford on Sept. 2, as the Irish ultimately defeated the No. 15 Cardinal 2-1 in double overtime at the adidas/IU Credit Union Classic. The Dundalk, Ireland native was a force for Notre Dame once more in the tournament finale against No. 22 California (Sept. 4), logging the primary assist on the game-winning goal just 38 seconds into the match. Gallagher would add a goal and a second assist in a 5-0 Irish shutout of the Golden Bears to secure tournament offensive MVP honors.
Through four starts in 2016, Gallagher is the Notre Dame leader with four goals, three assists and 11 points. He has attempted 15 total shots, with 11 tries officially finding goal (.733) to pace the Irish attack. Dating back to the start of 2015, Gallagher has tallied 32 points (13 goals and six assists) in his last 26 starts.
Gallagher was the second Notre Dame player to earn national recognition for early season play in 2016. Senior defender Brandon Aubrey was included in the Top Drawer Soccer Men’s Team Of The Week and College Soccer News National Team of the Week on Aug. 30 after a strong two-goal showing at the Mike Berticelli Memorial Tournament.
No. 1 Notre Dame and No. 15 Virginia Tech are scheduled to open ACC play on Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. (ET) inside Alumni Stadium. Visit und.com/tickets or call the Murnane Family Ticket Office at 574-631-7356 for more information or to purchase tickets.
2016 Notre Dame Men’s Soccer Weekly Honors
ACC Offensive Player of the Week
Jon Gallagher – Sept. 6
College Soccer News National Player of the Week
Jon Gallagher – Sept. 6
TopDrawerSoccer Team of the Week
Brandon Aubrey – Aug. 30
College Soccer News National Team of the Week
Brandon Aubrey – Aug. 30
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Tony Jones, athletics communications assistant director at the University of Notre Dame, has been part of the Fighting Irish athletics communications team since 2012 and coordinates all media efforts for the Notre Dame softball and men’s soccer programs. A native of Jamestown, New York, Jones is a 2011 graduate of St. Bonaventure University, and prior to arriving at Notre Dame held positions at the University of Louisiana Monroe and with the National Football League’s Buffalo Bills.