Soccer News Player of the Year Nominees

MEN’S COLLEGE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Cast your vote!



Thirty seven of the nation’s top men’s college soccer players have been named finalists for the Soccer News Net Player of the Year Award.

The editors of each of the six sites in the Soccer News Net network nominated up to six local players for the award, each of which will be eligible for the regional player of the year award. The nominations included athletes playing at colleges within each site’s coverage area, as well as athletes from the area playing collegiately elsewhere in the country. Ten additional at-large selections rounded out the nominations.

Fans from across the country will be able to vote for the top collegiate player. Voting will begin on Thurssday, November 24 and continue until December 23, and will be conducted on Big Apple Soccer ( www.bigapplesoccer.com), ChicagoLand Soccer News ( www.chicagolandsoccernews.com), LA Soccer News ( www.lasoccernews.com), New England Soccer News ( www.newenglandsoccernews.com), Philly Soccer News ( www.phillysoccernews.com) and Dallas Soccer News. ( www.dallassoccernews.com)

Online fan voting will account for 40% of the total toward the award. The remaining 60% of the vote will be cast by the editorial staffs of the six web sites.

NEW ENGLAND SOCCER NEWS
Daniel Keat, Sr., M, Dartmouth
Hometown: Wellington, New Zealand (Hutt int’l Boys School)
Keat is a three-time All-Ivy first team selection, having also earned the honor in 2009 and as a freshman in 2006. Keat controlled the Dartmouth midfield, often linking play from the defensive side to the attack, and was adept at finding time and space to create chances or finish in front of the goal. He made 16 starts for the Big Green and recorded nine points on four goals, including a game winner, and an assist. Half of his goals came in Ivy League play.

Colin Henry, Jr., D, Boston University
Hometown: Norwell, Mass (Norwell/South Shore United Blazers)
Named the America East Defensive Player of the Year, Henry steadied a defense that included two freshman starters and a redshirt freshman goalkeeper. Henry started all 16 games for a team that allowed just 0.88 goals per game, and only three goals in seven America East games.

Tony Cascio, Jr., M, UConn
Hometown: Gilbert, Ariz. (Hamilton HS)
Tony Cascio was named Big East Offensive Player of the Year after leading the Huskies with nine regular season goals and 24 points. He was third in the conference with 1.78 points per game, and tied for second in points. Cascio also was a unanimous All-Big East first team selection.

Josh Ford, Sr., GK, UConn
Hometown: Liverpool, NY (Liverpool HS/Blitz U19)
Josh Ford is the second Husky to be honored as Big East Goalkeeper of the Year. He started all 17 of UConn’s regular season games, allowing only five goals in more than 1550 minutes for the lowest g.a.a in the nation, 0.29. He made 52 saves for a .912 save percentage, also the nation’s best. Nine of his 11 regular season wins were shutouts. In league play, he led the Big East in goals-against average (0.21) and save percentage (.938).

Matt Marcin, Sr., M, Providence
Hometown: Wilmington, Del. (Charter School of Wilmington/FC Delco)
Matt Marcin is only the second Providence player ever to be named to the All-Big East First Team. The Wilmington, Del. Native was honored this season after leading the Friars with career highs in goals (7 overall, 3 Big East), assists (3, 1 Big East) and points (17, seven Big East). Also nominated by Philly Soccer News.

BIG APPLE SOCCER
Leonardo Fernandes, So., F, Stony Brook
Hometown: North Babylon, N.Y. (North Babylon/B.W. Gottschee)
Named to the All-America East first team, Fernandes is Stony Brook’s leading scorer with six goals and one assist for 13 points. He is tied for fourth in America East in goals. He has scored all six of his goals after the 60th minute of matches, giving him the reputation of being a strong second-half player. Fernandes was the 2009 America East Rookie of the Year and was a second-team All-America East selection.

Alexander Kouznetsov, Sr., M, Adelphi
Hometown: Vaxjo, Sweden (Vaxjo University)
Kouznetsov was named the Atlantic Soccer Conference Tournament MVP after leading the Panthers to the league title. The midfielder was Adelphi’s second leading scorer during the season, with four goals and two assists. He was perhaps most dominant during the ASC tournament, providing two of Adelphi's four goals. His first tally was the game-winner in the Panthers’ 2-0 defeat of NJIT, and he followed that up with a header in the championship game that sent the contest into overtime.

Lebo Pila, Sr., M. Saint Peter's
Hometown: Johannesburg, South Africa (Saint Benedict’s Prep)
Pila, a senior midfielder, was named to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference First Team for the second straight season. He led the Peacocks in overall scoring this season with eight goals and a team-high nine assists in 19 games. His eight goals tied him for the team lead. He was second on the team in game-winning goals with three. Pila converted a penalty kick and notched the game-winning assist as the Peacocks defeated Iona 2-1 for their second straight MAAC championship. Pila also had a penalty kick and an assist in Saint Peter’s 6-2 loss to Providence in the first round of the 2010 NCAA tournament.

Dominic Reinold, So., F, Fairleigh Dickinson
Hometown: Wesseling, Germany (Gesamtschule Rodenkirchen)
Reinold, a sophomore forward, started every game for the Knights this season, and led the team in scoring with nine goals and four assists for 22 points. He also delivered the game-winners in six of Fairleigh Dickinson’s nine victories this season, making him the Northeast Conference leader in that category.

Ryan Kinne, Sr., M/F, Monmouth University
Hometown: Naugatuck, Conn. (Naugatuck/South Central Premier)
The Northeast Conference Player of the Year, Kinne has been the Hawks' most consistent and dynamic offensive force this season, leading the team in goals (12), points (29) and game-winning goals (4), while tying for the team lead with five assists. The senior captain ranks eighth in the nation in both total points and total goals, while placing 10th in points per game (1.71) and 11th in goals per game (0.71). This is Kinne's third straight appearance on the all-league first team.

Tadeu Terra, Sr., M, St. John's University
Hometown: Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Instituto Abel)
A First team All-Big East selection, his third straight all-conference honor, Terra had a career season in 2010 with a personal best five goals, five assists and 15 points for the Red Storm, including two game-winners. He started 14 of 18 games played.

CHICAGOLAND SOCCER NEWS
Will Bruin, Jr., F, Indiana
Hometown: St. Louis, Mo. (DeSmet Jesuit/Scott-Gallagher Soccer Club)
Bruin was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year after racking up 33 points on 15 goals and three assists in 17 matches. He finished the regular season tied for the conference lead and tied for second in the country in goals, helping Indiana to its 12th Big Ten title.

Steven Perry, Sr., F, Notre Dame
Hometown: Edmond, Okla. (Bishop McGuinness/Padova ’89)
Perry was a unanimous selection to the All-Big East First Team after an outstanding season that saw him lead the conference in goals (12), goals-per-game (0.6) and game-winning goals (5). He also finished tied for the conference lead in points with 28. Perry’s goal total ranks eighth nationally. The senior started every match for the Fighting Irish this season, and had nine goals in league play. He had three two-goal efforts on the season. The Irish were 7-1-1 this season when Perry scored a goal.

David Meves, So., GK, Akron
Hometown: Arlington Heights, Ill. (Christian Liberty Academy/Chicago Sockers FC)
A first team Mid-American Conference selection, last year’s ChicagoLand Soccer News Player of the Year backstopped the Zips to a 19-1-1 record in 2010. In 21 starts, Meves has allowed only 11 goals. He has a 0.53 goals against average and has posted 10 shutouts.


DALLAS SOCCER NEWS
Juan Castillo, Fr., F, SMU
Hometown: Kingwood, Texas (Kingwood Park/Texans SC DTH
Castillo has been a force for the SMU Mustangs in his freshman season, helping to lead the team to the second round of playoffs, a 15-2 record and seventh in the national polls. He led SMU in scoring with 9 goals and 4 assists in the regular season. He attended Kingwood High School near Houston.

Arthur Ivo, Jr., M, SMU
Hometown: Bragança Paulista, Brazil & Arlington, Tx (Oakridge School/ Dallas Texans '90)
—Ivo has been a consistent leader for SMU throughout his career. The canny midfielder was second in scoring points with eight goals and four assists. His inspirational play in the middle has helped lead the Mustangs to its first NCAA playoff berth in three years. He attended Oakridge School after coming here from Piracicaba, Brazil.

Dillon Powers, So., M, Notre Dame
Hometown: Planto, Tx. (Plano Senior/ Andromeda SC )-
Earned All-Big East honors this season, scoring three goals and four assists. He led all non-defenders in minutes played with 1,604. He helped lead the Fighting Irish to the second round of the playoffs this season. He must juggle time with Notre Dame with appearance with the U20 Men’s National Team. In helping the U.S. to a 3-0 record in the international Milk Cup, he was the Milk Cup MVP. He earned a berth on the All Big East Freshman team last season.

Ryan McDuff, So., D, Brown University
Hometown: Plano, TX (Plano Senio/ Andromeda ’91)
McDuff has been a starter from the beginning as a freshman and this season has played the most minutes on the team, 1,667. Was an outstanding defender on a team that allowed just nine goals this season and helped the Brown team to the second round of the NCAA playoffs this season.

LA SOCCER NEWS
A.J. Soares, Sr., D, Cal
Hometown: Solana Beach, Calif. (Torrey Pines HS/Cal-South)
Soares became the fourth Cal player all-time to be named Pac-10 Player of the Year. A two-time first team All-Pac-10 honoree, the senior defender has tallied five goals and one assist this season. Soares also is an integral member of the Cal defense that has allowed only 13 goals in 17 games, best in the Conference. Soares earned Pac-10 Player of the Week honors twice this season, on Sept. 14 and Oct. 12. Soares led Cal to its 16th all-time NCAA Tournament appearance, earning a No. 6 seed and a first-round bye.

Kelyn Rowe, Fr., M, UCLA
Hometown: Federal Way, Wash. (Federal Way HS/Crossfire Premier)
Kelyn Rowe is the second Bruin in a row and fourth overall to win Pac-10 Freshman of the Year. Rowe, a native of Federal Way, Wash., leads the Bruins in assists (8) and ranks second on the team in goals (6) and points (20). The midfielder is the only freshman to be named to the All- Pac-10 First Team. Rowe and the UCLA squad make their 28th-straight and 38th all-time appearance in the NCAA Tournament, receiving the eighth seed and a first-round bye.

Roger Downes, Jr., D., Loyola Marymount
Hometown: San Clemente, Ca. (Santa Margarita Catholic HS)
The WCC Defensive Player of the Year, Downes was the anchor of LMU’s defense that finished the regular season with the second-lowest goals-against-average in the WCC, and third-lowest in program history, at 1.07. Downes started all 20 matches and led the team in minutes played (1798), helping the Lions post five shutouts.

Sam Garza, So, F, UC Santa Barbara
Hometown: Highland Village, Texas(Edward S. Marcus HS/Dallas Comets FC 90, Dallas Solar SC 90)
Named the Big West Conference Offensive Player of the Year, Garza scored nine goals and added six assists for 24 points, tying for first in the league in points, for second in goals and for third in assists. A transfer from Denver playing his first season for the Gauchos, Garza had five goals and two assists in Conference play, and recorded at least one point in 11 of his 19 games. He also recorded the 25th hat trick in Big West history October 23 against Cal State Northridge.

Danny Barrerra, Jr, M, UC Santa Barbara
Hometown: Thousand Oaks, Calif. (Westlake HS/Real So Cal)
Barrerra became the first player in Big West Conference history to win back-to-back Midfielder of the Year awards. The key cog of the Gauchos attack, he scored four goals and had six assists for 15 points. Six of his seven assists came in conference play, leaving him second in the Big West in that category. His 21 career assists tie him for eighth all-time in the conference.


PHILLY SOCCER NEWS
Andrew Wenger, So., D, Duke
Hometown: Lititz, Pa. (Warwick HS/Pennsylvania Classics )
Wenger was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive player of the Year and a first team All-ACC. As a center back, Wenger led a Duke backline that only allowed nine goals in ACC play. Wenger also is a two-time All-ACC First Team selection, and has started every game of his Blue Devil career.

Ryan Richter, Sr., M, La Salle
Hometown: Southampton, PA (William Tennent)
Richter, a senior forward, was named Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Year after leading the league in seven statistical categories, including shots (89), shots per game (5.24), points (30), points per game (1.76), goals (14), goals per game (0.82) and game-winning goals (7). He tallied seven game-winning goals for the Explorers this season and had three golden goals in games decided by 1-0 margins. The Southampton, Pa., native was named A-10 Player of the Week twice during the fall and led La Salle to its fourth appearance in the A-10 Championship – its first since 2004.

Brendan Burgdorf, Bucknell
Hometown: Westfield, N.J. (The Pingry School/ Match Fit Chelsea)
Burgdorf finished the regular season tied with senior teammate Tommy McCabe atop the Patriot League standings at 14 points. He was knotted with four other players with six points in League play at two goals and two assists. Burgdorf also was named First-Team All-Patriot League this season, one year removed from earning All-Tournament Team recognition after Bucknell’s run to the Patriot League title in 2009.

Corey Hertzog, Jr., F, Penn State
Hometown: Reading, Pa. (Antietam HS/Rage SC)
Hertzog has firmly established himself as one of the nation’s most talented and prolific offensive players. His 16 goals place him in a tie for the Big Ten lead and his 37 points in 19 games are the most by a Nittany Lion since Chad Severs totaled the same number in 26 games in 2002. Hertzog’s five game-winning goals also topped the conference.

Matheus Braga, Sr., M, Penn State
Hometown: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Colegio Militar de Fortaleza)
With 17 assists this season, Braga tops the Big Ten and stands as the Nittany Lions’ all-time single season leader. He is second on the team in goals (5) and in points, amassing a career-high 27.

Matt Marcin, Sr., M, Providence
Hometown: Wilmington, Del. (Charter School of Wilmington/FC Delco)
Matt Marcin is only the second Providence player ever to be named to the All-Big East First Team. The Wilmington, Del. Native was honored this season after leading the Friars with career highs in goals (7 overall, 3 Big East), assists (3, 1 Big East) and points (17, seven Big East). Also nominated by New England Soccer News.

AT LARGE
Antoine Hoppenot, Jr., F, Princeton
Hometown: Princeton, N.J. (Princeton Day School/ Princeton Union 90)
After helping Princeton post a perfect 7-0-0 Ivy League record for the first time in school history, Antoine Hoppenot was named the 2010 Ivy League Player of the Year and one of just three unanimous first team All-Ivy selections. Hoppenot, a second team All-Ivy selection as a freshman and a first team honoree a season ago, has spearheaded a potent Princeton attack that has registered 36 goals on the season, including 16 goals scored in seven Ivy League games. Currently on a school record 12-game unbeaten streak, Hoppenot and the Tigers put together a stretch in late September and early October when they scored three goals in seven consecutive wins.

CJ Sapong, Sr., F, James Madison University
Hometown: Manassas, Va. (Forest Park/Magnum)
Sapong was one of the nation’s top offensive threats this season, leading the CAA and ranking third in Division I with 33 points. He shared the CAA lead in goals (12) and game-winning goals (4), and also topped the conference with nine assists. Sapong finished his JMU career ranked fifth all-time in points (95), seventh in goals (37) and fourth in game-winning goals (12). He is the first JMU player since 1994 to receive CAA Player of the Year honors.

Levi Houapeu, Sr., F/M, UMBC
Hometown: Germantown, Md. (Watkins Mill/Potomac Cougars)
Houapeu earned 2010 America East Striker of the Year honors after taking home Midfielder of the Year honors in 2009. Houapeu leads the conference in scoring with 12 goals and 27 points. He became the seventh player in school history to amass at least 30 (31) career goals. He has 80 career points (31-18-80) and has moved into a tie for fifth place on UMBC’s all-time scoring list. Houapeu is sixth in the nation in goals scored and eighth in total points scored. No player in the nation has more points in the past two seasons (70) than Houapeu.

Patrick Wallen, So., F, University of San Diego
Hometown: Vasterus, Sweden (Carlforska Gymnasiet HS )
Wallen, the West Coast Conference Player of the Year, led the conference with 12 goals and 25 points overall. He had four multiple goal games throughout the season. He led the conference with five game-winning goals, and was a perfect 3-for-3 on penalty kicks. In WCC action, Wallen scored 10 of his 12 goals as well as all five of his game-winning goals

Darlington Nagbe, Jr., M/F, Akron
Hometown: Lakewood, Ohio (St. Edwards HS/Internationals)
The Mid American Conference Player of the year, Nagbe recorded seven goals and a career-high 11 assists in 21 games this fall. The Lakewood, Ohio, native has been a key cog in the vaunted Akron attack, which entered the postseason ranked third in the nation averaging 2.56 goals per game. Of his team-leading nine assists, five have set up game-winning goals. Nagbe was an NSCAA Second Team All-American in 2009.

Colin Rolfe, Jr., F, Louisville
Hometown: Canton, Mich. (Plymouth HS/Michigan Wolves)
Rolfe earned First Team All-Big East honors for his regular season performance, and led the Cardinals to the conference championship and on to the NCAA tournament. After 20 games, all starts, he topped the team with 7 goals and 6 assists for 20 points. Three of his goals were game-winners. He scored in regulation time to help the Cardinals take the conference championship over Providence in penalty kicks, and netted the game-winner as the Cardinals opened NCAA tournament play with a 3-1 win over Charleston.

Austin Berry, Jr., D, Louisville
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio (Summit Country Day HS)
Berry is the 2010 Big East defensive Player of the Year after starting 15 regular season games and helping the Cardinals to an undefeated regular season. He helped Louisville’s defense record a 0.59 goals-against average and .750 save percentage. Berry also recorded seven points on offense, with three goals and an assist.

Zac MacMath, Jr., GK, Maryland
Hometown: St. Petersburg, Fla. (Bradenton Academy/Clearwater Chargers)
MacMath, was a first team all-Atlantic Coast Conference selection for the second straight year, leading the Terps with a league-best 0.64 goals against average and 11 shutouts.

Blake Brettschneider, Sr., F, South Carolina
Hometown: Lilburn, Ga. (Parkview/Atlanta Fire United )
Scored six goals including thre game winners and tied for the lead in C-USA with nine assists. Factored in on 15 of Carolina’s 22 goals. In C-USA play (7 games), he had three goals and six assists. He was the 2010 C-USA Co-MVP, Co-Offensive Player of the Year.

Soony Saad, Fr., F, Michigan
Hometown: Dearborn, Mich. (Dearborn/Michigan Wolves)
The Big Ten Freshman of the Year, he led the Wolverines offense with 34 points. He finished tied for first in the conference and second in the country with 15 goals.


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