ECAC Announces 2016 Division III Metro Men's Soccer All-Stars
DANBURY, Conn. – The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) has announced its 2016 Division III Metro Men’s Soccer All-Star Team.
Jovanni Garcia from the College of New Rochelle takes home Offensive Player of the Year, while Will Sjaastad of Rowan University garnered Defensive Player of the Year. Stevens Institute of Technology’s Daniel Aversano claimed the Rookie of the Year award and Michael Smolens of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy received Coach of the Year.
Garcia had a stellar freshman year, scoring 30 goals and 20 assists in 19 games. During the season, he scored four hat-tricks and had seven game-winners. His 80 points earned him the Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (HVIAC) Player of the Year accolade.
Sjaastad played in 20 contests this year, totaling five goals and two assists for 12 points. A New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) first team all-conference selection, Sjaastad anchored a Rowan defense that finished tied for fourth in the NJAC for team goals allowed per game (1.44). The sophomore also netted two game-winning goals for the Profs in 2016, including the decisive tally against SUNY Oneonta on Sept. 5.
Aversano led the Ducks with seven goals and six assists as he was named the Empire 8 Conference Rookie of the Year. The sophomore was top-10 in the Empire 8 in every offensive statistical category. He recorded 20 points in 18 games averaging 1.11 points per game.
Smolen’s Mariners won the Skyline regular-season and tournament titles in 2016. His victory earned him the Skyline Coach of the Year award, the 10th of his career. This year, his Mariners made their sixth NCAA appearance of his tenure.
2016 ECAC Division III Metro Men’s Soccer All-Star Team
Offensive Player of the Year
Jovanni Garcia - College of New Rochelle
Defensive Player of the Year
Will Sjaastad – Rowan University
Rookie of the Year
Daniel Aversano – Stevens Institute of Technology
Coach of the Year
Michael Smolens – U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
First Team
Gavin Yingling – U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Omar Parra – Manhattanville College
Jovanni Garcia – College of New Rochelle
Tristian Medios-Simon – New York University
Kazari Trought – Kean University
Robin Schaufele – Manhattanville College
Will Sjaastad – Rowan University
Christoffer Staahl – Manhattanville College
Kevin Brix – Centenary University
Mike Naylor – Rutgers University - Camden
Dan Sulpizio – DeSales University
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