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New
Jersey City University junior forward Cristhian Acuna and Ramapo College
junior back Ryan Lahey have been named the New Jersey Athletic
Conference Men’s Soccer Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year
respectively for the 2007 season. In total, 39 student-athletes earned
all-conference recognition in NJAC men’s soccer in 2007. All selections
were determined by a vote of the league’s 10 head coaches.
A two-time NJAC first-team all-conference selection, Acuna currently leads
the NJAC in both points per game (1.94) and assists per game (0.56).
Against NJAC competition, the two-time NJAC and ECAC Player of the Week
selection this season is tied for the conference lead in both total goals
(6), and game-winning goals (4).
Lahey earns the league’s top defensive honor after leading the Roadrunners
to the top-seed in the upcoming ECAC Metro Tournament. A two-time NJAC
all-conference selection, he anchors a Ramapo defense that currently ranks
second in the NJAC in both goals allowed (0.78), and goals against average
(0.76). Lahey has been an instrumental part of a Roadrunner defense that
has posted nine shutouts on the season.
NJCU junior Edison Bilbao was selected as the first ever recipient of the
conference’s Pat Baldiserra Midfielder of the Year award. Recently
established by the New Jersey Athletic Conference Board of Athletic
Administrators, the award is named in memory of former Rutgers
University-Camden All-American Pat Baldiserra who was tragically killed in
an automobile accident prior to the start of the 2007 season. A three-time
NJAC all-conference selection,
Bilbao currently ranks fourth in
the conference in both points per game (1.53), and assists per game
(0.47).
Montclair State University junior goalkeeper Nick Mele was named the
league’s Goalkeeper of the Year after helping to lead the Red Hawks to
their second consecutive NJAC Championship. A three-time NJAC Defensive
Player of the Week selection during the season, he currently leads the
NJAC in goals against average (0.47), save percentage (.894), and shutouts
(13). As champions of the NJAC, Mele and the Red Hawks will be making
their second consecutive NCAA Division III National Championship
Tournament appearance when they host a second round match against a yet to
be determined opponent on November 10.
NJCU sophomore back Jean Mombrun was the recipient of the conference’s
David Logar Award, given annually to a player who best displays the
attributes of leadership and courage.
A two-time NJAC Rookie of the Week selection, Richard Stockton College
freshman forward Rafael Duarte was selected as the league Rookie of the
Year, marking the second consecutive season that an Osprey has garnered
the award. Duarte currently leads the NJAC in points (34), goals (16), and
goals per game (0.84).
New Jersey
City University head coach Cristian da Silva
was selected as the NJAC Coach of the Year by his peers. In 2007, da Silva
has guided the Gothic Knights to a 16-4-1 overall record and the NJAC
regular season championship via a 7-1-1
mark in conference play. In his rookie season at the helm of the Gothic
Knights program, da Silva has guided NJCU to an at-large selection to the
NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament. The Gothic Knights
will face Castleton State
in an NCAA Tournament opening round match at NJIT on November 10.
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