STANFORD, Calif. - Having contributed a goal to help Stanford defeat rival California 3-1 on Friday in ACC play, freshman Ella Kral has been named ACC Freshman of the Week.
The conference weekly honor is the first of Kral's career, and runs Stanford’s 2026 season total to six selections. London Young earned Freshman of the Week on August 18 following the first week of competition, junior Charlotte Kohler was selected co-Offensive Player of the Week on August 25 following week two, Sadie Leal-Schuman (Freshman of the Week) and Sammy Smith (Defensive Player of the Week) were lauded on September 1, and Lizzie Boamah earned ACC Defensive Player of the Week on September 22. Junior Jaden Thomas was also named IWSOC National Player of the Week on September 10.
Kral, a native of Berkeley, Calif., delivered Stanford's third goal of the night against her hometown team, intercepting a pass near midfield and dribbling on goal toward Cal goalkeeper Alyssa Savig. Savig came charging out of her box but was unable to deny the freshman who skipped her shot in from distance and notched her second goal of the year.
Duke's Mia Minestrella was named Offensive Player of the Week, while Florida State took home Defensive Player of the Week (Grace Hoytink) and Goalkeeper of the Week (Kate Ockene) honors.
The Cardinal is now preparing to visit top-ranked North Carolina on Friday at 3 p.m. PT