Photo: Billy McGee/College Soccer News
Sean McGuffin – @SeanMCG704
With the 2026 Carolina Cup in the rear view mirror, it’s time to look at the players who made the biggest impact during the tournament and the names to look out for come Fall.
The MVP of the Tournament could go to no one else but UNC-Chapel Hill’s Bertil Hansen. With six goals for the Cup-winning Tar Heel side, Hansen was the clear choice for the Carolina Cup Top Performer. Bertil brings this accolade into his Junior season with Chapel Hill, where he could be a major asset for a Tar Heel team trying to get back on top of the ACC. Hansen doubled his 2025 Goal count in the Carolina Cup, showing maturity and development going into his third season.
Hansen is not the only Tar Heel on the All-Tournament team, with Joschi Schelb and Ryan Zellefrow also representing the Cup winners. Schelb scored both goals in the 2-1 win over Virginia Tech in the final. A transfer from Rutgers, Schelb scored seven goals for the Scarlet Knights and has already shown himself to be a huge addition to Chapel Hill’s roster. Zellefrow is another transfer, coming to North Carolina after two years with Vermont. Zellefrow comes into his Junior season already with a National Championship to his name. The midfielder has helped bring the Tar Heels a trophy in the spring, with aspirations for an even bigger trophy in the fall. Luca Nikolai was another notable Tar Heel during the tournament, bringing veteran leadership into his senior season.
The runner-up, Virginia Tech Hokies, had many names that stood out on the tournament team as well. Amir Ariely had a standout freshman season in Blacksburg. Starting in all 15 of his appearances with one goal and two assists, Ariely has already shown potential in his Freshman season and is quickly becoming a fan favorite. Junior Yanis Belatrache finished his first season with Virginia Tech with four goals and four assists, as well as starting all 16 of his games. New transfer Chase Vazquez is the third and final Hokie on the all-tournament team. The former Louisville Cardinal scored three goals with two assists in 2025 and brings depth to the Virginia Tech forward line coming into the fall. Alex Perez earned a spot on the second team, being another key goal scorer for Tech.
The North Carolina State Wolfpack had two players make the all-tournament team. Tyler Caton finished his 2025 regular season with one goal and six assists. Caton’s ability to be a team player and move the ball into the midfield will be crucial in his senior season with the Wolfpack. Freshman Riley Maloney joins the Senior. In just his first year with State, Maloney recorded two goals and nine assists. Graduate student Caden Tolentino made the tournament second team. The National Championship runner-ups still look dangerous and are an early favorite for the ACC title this Fall.
UNC Greensboro’s Seth Wilson was named goalkeeper of the tournament. The Junior goes into the regular season with a 0.737 save percentage and 18 wins between the pipes. Steven Hernandez also represents the Spartans on the tournament team. With five goals and five assists in 2025, Hernandez is quickly becoming a star player for Greensboro.
High Point University had representation on the first and second teams. Aiden Morrison joins the Panthers for his Senior year after three years at William and Mary. Morrison earned a spot on the CAA all-rookie team during his first year with the Tribe. Defender Roman Holt earned a spot on the second team. The redshirt Sophomore started 20 games for the Panthers in 2025 and contributed to 10 shutout wins for High Point.
Rounding out the all-tournament team is Duke’s Ulfur Bjornsson. The Junior contributed two goals and one assist in the 2025 season. The Blue Devils are also represented on the second team with Junior Thomas Vold.
Six teams and three conferences were represented in the All-Tournament team, with the ACC continuing to be the dominant conference in the Carolinas for Soccer. Mid-Majors High Point and UNC Greensboro showed themselves to be competitive in-state as well.
Carolina Cup MVP
- Bertil Hansen – North Carolina – Junior
Carolina Cup First Team
- Bertil Hansen – North Carolina – Junior
- Joschi Schelb – North Carolina – Senior
- Ryan Zellefrow – North Carolina – Junior
- Amir Ariely – Virginia Tech – Sophomore
- Yanis Belatrache – Virginia Tech – Senior
- Chase Vazquez – Virginia Tech – Junior
- Tyler Caton – NC State – Senior
- Riley Maloney – NC State – Sophomore
- Seth Wilson – UNCG – Junior
- Steven Hernandez – UNCG – Junior
- Aidan Morrison – High Point – Senior
- Ulfur Bjornsson – Duke – Senior
Carolina Cup Second Team
- Luca Nikolai – North Carolina – Senior
- Chandler Young – Wake Forest – Sophomore
- David Nguema – Wake Forest – Sophomore
- Roman Holt – High Point – Sophomore
- Alex Perez – Virginia Tech – Junior
- Alejandro Velazquez-Lopez – South Carolina – Junior
- Matthew Vigor – South Carolina – Freshman
- Thomas Vold – Duke – Senior
- Caden Tolentino – NC State – Graduate Student
- Mohammed Sumaila – UNCG – Sophomore
- Evans Dapaah – Campbell – Senior
- Bryan Miralrio – UNCW – Senior
