Nov. 9, 2010
Contact: Dan Carr
CLEVELAND, Ohio - After going 7-2 at home, defeating the number one team in the country and earning a first round playoff match at home for the third consecutive year, Cleveland State's men's soccer team was rewarded for its good season by having five players selected to the All-Horizon League teams.
The League made the announcement on Monday afternoon (Nov. 8).
Following a regular season in which he led the conference in saves and was selected player of the week three times, Brad Stuver was named as the Horizon League's Goalkeeper of the Year, becoming the first Viking to ever earn the honor. Stuver was also chosen to the All-Horizon League first time along with senior Audric Kilroy. Senior Jeff Baker and junior transfer Manuel Conde were named to the second team, while Conde and freshman Aslinn Rodas were all-newcomer selections.
"Having five people recognized by the conference is what we have to do if we want to continue building this program to the level we want to be at," head coach Ali Kazemaini said.
"We need to bring in players that are good enough to be on all-league teams, and the players that were selected represent what we want to do at Cleveland State. They are good, team-first players and I'm happy that they are being recognized."
Stuver, a sophomore from Twinsburg, Ohio, became the starter in goal midway through his sophomore season and has emerged as one of the top goalkeepers in the conference. In addition to being the Horizon League's regular season save leader, having made 74 stops on the year, Stuver was selected as the National Soccer Coaches Association of America's National Player of the Week after helping the Vikings beat top-ranked Akron, 2-1, on Oct. 30.
Stuver posted his third shutout of the year in the final contest of the regular season, a 0-0 tie at Butler.
"Stuver has been a special player from day one," Kazemaini said. "When we brought him in we expected him to excel at every level of play, and I think he still has the potential to get even better."
Kilroy, a senior from Independence, Ohio, has started 13 matches this season, recording an assist in the Vikings' 3-1 victory over Green Bay on Oct. 1. He started out the season as a defender, but was soon moved into the forward position to give the team a spark.
"Though Audric doesn't score very often, our offense works better when he's in the game," Kazemaini said. "He forces defenders to pay attention to him, which allows some of our players to break free. The fact that Audric made the transition from defender to forward so easily is a testament to just how good of a player he is."
Baker, a junior from Vermillion, Ohio, is Cleveland State's team captain. Baker has started all 18 matches at midfield this season, and was chosen to the CoSIDA/ESPN Academic All-District first team last week.
"Any coach would love to have a Jeff Baker," Kazemaini said. "He stands for what the NCAA is all about. He performs very strong academically, while also living up to the standards of being a Division I athlete. He sets a tremendous example for the younger players on our team."
Conde, a junior midfielder from Caracas, Venezuela, spent the last two seasons playing at Lakeland Community College. He has scored three goals, including the game-winner against IPFW on Sept. 19, and has two assists on the year.
"Conde has one characteristic that I love to see in my players: he plays with tremendous passion," Kazemaini said. "He always has this aura that he's playing in front of a huge crowd, and he gives our team good energy whenever he's out on the field. He's had a great year, making the tough transition to Division I soccer, and he'll be better the following the year."
Rodas, a freshman forward from Ellicott City, Md., also has three goals and two assists on the year. He has played in all 18 contests this season, starting 17.
"With Aslinn, the sky is the limit," Kazemaini said. "When he's on, he is very difficult to contain. If he wants to reach his potential he needs to be more consistent, but he has some special tools and has shown that this season."
The Vikings will begin the Horizon League Championship tournament at home tonight (Nov. 9), hosting Detroit in a 7:00 p.m. contest.
2010 Horizon League Award Winners
First Team All-Horizon League
Ben Sippola, Sr., M, Butler
JC Banks, Sr., M, Green Bay
Matt Hedges, Jr., D, Butler
Tony Walls, Jr., M, Green Bay
Willie Koss, Sr., M, Loyola
Robert Younger, Sr., D, UIC
Greg Rosenthal, Sr., D/M, Milwaukee
Audric Kilroy, Sr., D, Cleveland State
Ya Ya Toure, Jr., F, Detroit
Andrew Wiedabach, So., M/F, Milwaukee
Brad Stuver, So., GK, Cleveland State
Second Team All-Horizon League
Stefan Antonijevic, Jr., M, Valparaiso
David Prochazka, Sr., D, Green Bay
Kyle Pateros, Sr., M, Butler
Manuel Conde, Jr., M, Cleveland State
Conner Burt, Sr., D, Butler
Ade Oleyedun, Fr., M, Butler
Adrian Ortiz, Sr., M, Valparaiso
Scott Raymonds, Sr., M, Green Bay
Andrew Weis, Sr., M, Loyola
Jeff Baker, Sr., D, Cleveland State
Fabian Knopfler, Sr., GK, Butler
All-Newcomer Team
Ya Ya Toure, Jr., F, Detroit
Ade Oleyedun, Fr., M, Butler
Manuel Conde, Jr., M, Cleveland State
Aslinn Rodas, Fr., M, Cleveland State
Sam Krenzien, Fr., F, Green Bay
Robbie Boyd, Fr., F/M, Milwaukee
James Howe, Fr., M, Loyola
Jordan Burt, Fr., M, Butler
Austin Oldham, Fr., F, Butler
David Bernhardsson, Fr., F, Green Bay
Guy Shabtay, Jr., F, Valparaiso
Player of the Year: Ben Sippola, Butler
Offensive Player of the Year: Ben Sippola, Butler
Defensive Player of the Year: Matt Hedges, Butler
Goalkeeper of the Year: Brad Stuver, Cleveland State
Newcomer of the Year: Ya Ya Toure, Detroit
Coach of the Year: Kelly Findley, Butler
