Shepherd University Athletics

SHEPHERD MEN'S SOCCER ANNOUNCES AWARD WINNERS

SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. -- Shepherd University head men's soccer coach Joseph Okoh recently announced the team award winners at the annual team banquet.

Senior F/M Donald Fon (Hyattsville, MD/Montgomery Blair HS), senior D Sean Holland (Chantilly, VA/Chantilly HS), and senior GK Robert Pence (Woodbridge, VA/Woodbridge HS) were named tri-recipients of the Coaches Award. Fon, a Second Team All-WVIAC honoree in 2005, scored three goals for the Rams last season. Holland, an Honorable Mention All-WVIAC choice, netted one goal for the Rams in 2005. Pence, an Honorable Mention All-WVIAC choice, had an 0.27 GAA with 10 saves last season.

Senior captain Ian Newman (Kingston, Jamaica/Campion College) was named Defensive Player of the Year. Newman, a First Team All-WVIAC choice, recorded two assists in 2005. He anchored a Ram defense that posted nine shutout victories last season.

Junior Bernard Walters (Waterford, Jamaica/Camperdown) and senior Jose Ventura (Washington, D.C./Archbishop Carroll HS) shared the Midfielder of the Year award. Walters, a Second Team All-WVIAC choice, recorded two goals and five assists in 2005. Ventura, an Honorable Mention All-WVIAC selection, had one goal and four assists last year.

Senior Jamie Ritchie (Remington, VA/Liberty HS) gained the Attacking Player of the Year award. Ritchie, a First Team All-WVIAC choice, tied for team-high scoring honors with 12 goals and a team-high 19 assists for 43 points.

Freshman Guilherme Fonseca (Guaraja Brazil/Objetivo School) was named Rookie of the Year. A First Team All-WVIAC honoree, Fonseca scored seven goals and dished out 17 assists for 31 points last year.

Senior Richard Smith (Gaithersburg, MD/Watkins Mill HS) grabbed Most Valuable Player honors. Smith, who was the first player in program history to gain WVIAC Player of the Year honors in 2005, posted a team-high 17 goals and added nine assists to tie Ritchie for team-high scoring honors with 43 points.

Special presentations were made to Mr. and Mrs Smith, Mrs. Tobler, and Mr. and Mrs. Holland for their support to the men's soccer program.

Other notable award winners were Nathan Tobler (Lucketts, VA/Loudoun County HS), Jamie Ritchie, Adam Sperry (Charles Town, WV/Jefferson HS), and Mikus Rubenis (Gulbene, Latvia/Mercersburg Academy) who were honored by the West Virginia Conference for outstanding academic achievement.

Head coach Joseph Okoh was awarded his WVIAC Coach of the Year award as well as a special award for all his contributions to the men's soccer team by the men's soccer program supporters.

"It was a very special night for our program," stated Okoh. "We got a chance to recognize and honor the graduating class of 2006 and pay a special tribute to our fans and supporters. We also want to thank the Yellow Brick Bank Restaurant for hosting our event for the past six years."