Liberty League announces 2018 Men's Soccer Awards; Dede named Player of the Year
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jethro Dede, Senior, Midfielder, St. Lawrence University
For the second consecutive season, St. Lawrence University senior Jethro Dede was selected Player of the Year. He was third on the team in scoring and was ranked among the top-ten during the regular season with six goals and two assists for 14 points. Dede was a starter in all 15 regular season games this season for the Saints and he was tied for second on the team in game-winning goals (2). He was also an integral part in guiding the Saints to their first Liberty League Championship title since 2015 as the forward dished out two assists in St. Lawrence’s Liberty League semifinal game, a 3-2 overtime victory over Hobart.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: James Homan, Senior, Defense, Clarkson University
Clarkson University senior James Homan was named the Liberty League Defensive Player of the Year. He anchored a defensive unit that allowed only 10 goals against in 17 games. As a team, the Golden Knights boasted a league-best 0.57 goals against average, good for 16th nationally. The two-time Liberty League Defensive Performer of the Week selection played and started in 16 of the team’s 17 games this season. He also contributed offensively with six points (3 goals).
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Nick Kriak, Midfielder, Hobart College
Hobart College first-year Nick Kriak has been recognized as the Liberty League Rookie of the Year. He started 11 out of 15 games for the Statesmen in the regular season and he appeared in two Liberty League tournament games. The Statesmen advanced to this year’s semifinals before falling to St. Lawrence in double overtime. Kriak is a versatile player for Hobart as he covers a majority of the field due to his the ability to play both sides of the ball.
COACHING STAFF OF THE YEAR: St. Lawrence University – Head Coach Mike Toshack; Assistant Coaches Nikki Williams, Tyler Gallagher, Willi Steinrotter, Tim Lawlor and Eric Shinnick?
St. Lawrence head coach Mike Toshack along with his assistant coaches have been selected as the Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year. Toshack directed the Saints to a 12-2-3 record and a 7-1-1 mark in league play in his fourth year as head coach. St. Lawrence paced the league in scoring, averaging two goals per game and totaling 93 points on the season (34 goals, 25 assists). Defensively, they allowed only 14 goals against (.78 goals against average). The Saints claimed their first Liberty League Championship title in three years and return to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2016.
ALL-LIBERTY LEAGUE FIRST TEAM
F- Austin Betterly, Jr., RPI
F- Simon Garno, Jr., RIT
F- Charlton Kelly, Sr., St. Lawrence
M- Jethro Dede, Sr., St. Lawrence
M- Salvador Lopez Jr., Jr., Union
M- Brendan McNamee, Sr., St. Lawrence
M- Mattie Mrlik, Jr., Vassar
B- Trevor Bisson, So., RPI
B- Stephen Dorney, Sr., St. Lawrence
B- Tyler Gilmore, Sr., Vassar
B- James Homan, Sr., Clarkson
GK- Max Lichtenstein, So., Ithaca
ALL-LIBERTY LEAGUE SECOND TEAM
F- Tapshak Augustine, Sr., St. Lawrence
F- Kevin Baliat, Jr., Vassar
F- Ben Caples, Sr., Skidmore
F- Jonathan Kyriakidis, So., Ithaca
M- Mike Park, Sr., Skidmore
M- Nick Simone, So., RIT
M- Mack Walton, So., Clarkson
B- Aidan Callahan, Jr., St. Lawrence
B- Binjo Emmanuel, Jr., Hobart
B- Ben Poole, Sr., Skidmore
B- Sam Sapnar, So., St. Lawrence
GK- Will Marment, Jr., Vassar
ALL-LIBERTY LEAGUE HONORABLE MENTION
F- Derrick Acheampong, Sr., Hobart
F- Connor Horan, Sr., Union
M- Anthony DeFeo, Sr., RIT
M- Henry Gomez, Jr., Clarkson
M- Michael Harten, So., RPI
M- Jack Monnes, Jr., Ithaca
M- Nate Schoen, Sr., Ithaca
B- Tom Dillman, So., Ithaca
GK- Logan Leppo, So., Bard