« Men’s Soccer 2019

Mauricio Pineda

School
North Carolina
Position
Midfielder/Defender
Mauricio Pineda

Classroom

Mauricio Pineda is a great example of a student-athlete on and off the field by setting an example in the classroom for his peers and fellow Tar Heels. As a freshman, he was selected to the All-ACC Academic Team and the ACC Honor Roll.

Character

Pineda is well-respected not only on the team, but also on campus. He is the captain of the team for a reason, and he leads by example. He is known for taking the freshman under his wing early in the season while also pushing the upperclassmen to accomplish more. Pineda is also active in the university’s leadership academy.

Community

Pineda’s heart is for serving. He wants to do anything he can to impact those around him in a positive way. He is no stranger to the children’s hospital and other outreach programs on campus. He is the team’s outreach representative and organizes activities for the team and is active in the teams’s kids cancer initiative.

Competition

Pineda is a winner. In his first three years he has been to two NCAA College Cups and won three straight ACC Coastal Division titles. He was one of the top recruits in his class, and he continues to excel on the field. He was a first-team All-ACC selection in 2018, third-team All-ACC pick in 2017 and was selected to the ACC All-Freshman Team in 2016. He was selected to the 2018 United Soccer Coaches All-America Second Team and was named to the 2019 Mac Hermann Trophy Watch List. He was also named to the 2019 Top Drawer Soccer Preseason Best XI list.