Detre Bell put another feather in his cap after earning Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Week honours.

The University of Louisville goalkeeper received the award for an outstanding display in his team’s 2-1 upset over No 1-ranked Clemson in their final regular season match at Dr Mark and Cindy Lynn Stadium.

Bell made eight saves during last week’s contest, including five during the first half.

“It means a lot to me receiving such a huge honour in the biggest conference in college soccer,” he told The Royal Gazette. “This is what all the hard work in training is for.”

The 23-year-old was one of two University of Louisville players recognised by the ACC as team-mate Aboubacar Camara earned Offensive Player of the Week accolades after scoring the winner against Clemson.

They are the first from their school to earn either award since Cherif Dieye was named Offensive Player of the Week in September of 2019.

Visiting Louisville jumped out to a 2-0 advantage with goals from Carlos Sanchis and Camara either side of the break before Hamady Diop’s late consolation from the penalty spot.“It was a great game; the best football we’ve played all season,” Bell added. “We knew before going into the game that they were the best in the country. However, we also know that we deserve to be talked about in the same category, so we went into that game with an attacking mindset.“I believed we would come out on top because everyone was so focused in the training sessions leading up to the game.”

The Cardinals finished the regular season second behind Clemson in the ACC Atlantic Division standings. Bell and his team-mates are now awaiting the outcome of tomorrow’s selection day that will determine whether or not they participate among the 36 colleges at next month’s NCAA Division 1 Championship.

“Hopefully we get into the NCAA tournament so my team-mates and I can keep the momentum going,” he added. “This season we finished 4-2, beating two highly ranked teams Virginia and Clemson. Now we must wait to know if we make it into the NCAA tournament.

“There’s a chance because we’ve beat two ranked teams. But because of how bad Louisville did in the fall there could also be a chance that we don’t.

“I’m hoping we do because we have every right to be, proving that we can beat the best. But we have to wait and see.”

Bell is a new addition to the University of Louisville team having transferred from California State University Bakersfield last December.He thrived with his former college playing in the Western Athletic Conference, where he earned both All-WAC Team and WAC Player of the Week honours. He made the switch in the hope of bolstering his chances of realising a dream of showcasing his talents in Major League Soccer.