Cleveland, Ohio – Senior Sergio Manesio was again named Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year, as he headlined five selections for the Cleveland State University men's soccer team in the League's postseason awards released Monday afternoon.
Joining Manesio as an All-Horizon League First Team selection was junior midfielder Alec Nagucki.
Junior Jake Lagania earned All-Horizon League Second Team honors at forward while rookie forward Lawrence Karpeh was tabbed to the League's All-Freshman Team. The League's coaches voted on the composition of the teams.
Manesio becomes the first Viking, and only the second player from any League school, to win Defensive Player of the Year honors more than once. He wore the captain's armband for the Vikings again in 2016 and was a rock in his spot in central defense. Manesio was a big reason why Cleveland State leads the Horizon League in goals against average, as CSU posted a 0.83 goals against mark in his time on the pitch. He helped the Vikings to five shutouts on the season and helped CSU allow no more than one goal in all but two of the matches he started. Manesio, who was never subbed out of a match this year, also added three goals on the season, two of which were game-winning strikes. The defender's impact cannot be seen in statistics alone. He showcased brilliant anticipation of what the opponent might try to do next, often interrupting opposition attacks before they could truly begin, and also rarely lost a tackle.
Manesio claimed postseason honors from the League in each of his four years at Cleveland State.
Nagucki claims his first All-League honor after having claimed All-Freshman Team honors in 2014. He played in all 17 matches this season, marking the third consecutive season in which he's appeared in every contest. He served almost exclusively as a defensive midfielder, sometimes serving as the lone holding player in front of the back line. Nagucki's technical ability is often key in helping CSU win back or develop position as he serves a key link in moving the ball from the back line up to the attacking midfielders and forwards. He posted an assist in a win over Detroit.
Lagania picks up his second straight All-League award with Monday's announcement. The junior led the team in assists for the second straight year, as all four of his helpers were of the primary variety. Three of his four assists broke a tie and pushed Cleveland State into the lead. Due primarily to injuries on the team, Lagania was forced to start six matches as a defender, showcasing his versatility and selflessness but also inhibiting his ability to contribute as much on the offensive end. Lagania ranked seventh in the League in assists per game and tied for sixth when only League matches are considered. Lagania has played in 53 of a possible 55 matches in his CSU career.
Karpeh made an immediate impact in his rookie season for the Vikings. He led the team in goals (4) and points (8). Karpeh ranked among the top 10 in the League in both goals and goals per game and ranked second in the League in goals by a freshman. Karpeh becomes the first CSU freshman to lead the team in points since 2006 and the first Viking rookie to lead the team outright in goals since 2005.
Karpeh's selection makes this the ninth consecutive season in which a Viking has been named to the All-Freshman (or All-Newcomer) Team. This is the longest such active streak in the League.
This is also the third time in the past five years that a Viking has won Defensive Player of the Year. No other League school has won the award three times. Matt Hedges, a top Major League Soccer player who has appeared for the U.S. National Team, is the only other player to win Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year more than once.
