Shepherd University Athletics

Shepherd University Men's Soccer Award Winners

AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED AT MEN'S SOCCER BANQUET

SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. -- Shepherd University head men's soccer coach Joseph Okoh recently announced several team award winners at the men's soccer banquet at the Yellow Brick Bank Restaurant in Shepherdstown.

Junior forward Jamie Ritchie (Remington, VA/Liberty HS) and senior defender Baboucarr Cham (Banjul, The Gambia/Marina International School) were named Co-Most Valuable Players. The duo also shared Most Improved Player honors.

Ritchie recorded eight goals and three assists for 19 points as a First Team All-WVIAC performer for the Rams last season. Ritchie was also a three-time WVIAC Player of the Week selection in 2004.

Cham, an honorable mention All-WVIAC choice, rejoined the team midway through the season and helped key the excellent defensive play of the Rams. The Rams only allowed four goals in the 11 games in which Cham participated. The Rams recorded eight wins over that span with seven shutout victories.

Sophomore forward Richard Smith (Gaithersburg, MD/Magruder HS) was named Offensive Player of the Year, sophomore midfielder Mikus Rubenis (Gulbene, Latvia/Mercersburg Academy) was named Midfielder of the Year, while junior defender Ian Newman (Kingston, Jamaica/Campion College) grabbed Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Smith, a Second Team All-WVIAC selection, had eight goals and five assists for a team-best 21 points.

Rubenis, an Honorable Mention All-WVIAC selection, helped key for the Rams on defense, while also adding a goal and two assists.

Newman, a First Team All-WVIAC selection in 2004, anchored a Ram defense that set new school marks for shutouts in a season (nine) and consecutive shutouts (four). The Rams also set a new single season record for fewest goals allowed with 16.

Junior defender Sean Holland (Chantilly, VA/ Chantilly HS) was the Coaches Award winner, while freshman defender Darrell Gonzalez (Silver Spring, MD/Springbrook HS) was tabbed Rookie of the Year.

The Rams finished the 2004 season with an 11-5-4 overall mark, with a 3-3-1 record on WVIAC action.