ATLANTA, Ga. – Cleveland State wrapped up its second year in the ASUN with two players receiving postseason awards from the conference on Tuesday, with Gannon Matthews and Xander Johnson earning the recognition.
Matthews led the Vikings' haul of awards with three, including his second straight Superlative Award, this time earning Midfielder of the Year honors. In addition, he garnered First Team All-Conference recognition and was named to the Academic All-Conference team. Johnson became the third Cleveland State player to be named to the All-Freshman team.
Gannon Matthews | Sophomore | Midfield | Eagle, Idaho | Midfielder of the Year | First Team All-Conference | Academic All-Conference
Matthews continued his tremendous college start, hauling in three more awards after being named Freshman of the Year and All-Conference last season. Matthews collected Midfielder of the Year honors after leading the Vikings in assists (24) and points (46). The two-time First Team All-Conference honoree also tallied 22 goals, which was the second most on the team.
The sophomore started all 13 games this season, with his highest point total of seven occurring at home against Canisius on four goals and three assists. His best conference game came on the road at Queens, with three goals and three assists for six points.
Matthews' 24 assists and 46 points are the second-most in a single season for the program. His goal total is also the fourth-highest in a year. After two seasons, the sophomore is third in assists (39), fourth in points (80), and fifth in goals (41) for career records.
In the classroom, Matthews has a perfect 4.00 GPA in exercise science, earning him his first academic recognition.
Xander Johnson | Freshman | Attack | Lancaster, Pa. | All-Freshman Team
Johnson picked up All-Freshman honors after appearing in eight games with six starts. Johnson tallied 15 goals and one assist, with 11 of those coming in conference play. The attackman finished the year with a team-best four hat-tricks. He twice tallied four goals in a game against St. Bonaventure and Lindenwood in back-to-back contests.
2023 ASUN Men's Lacrosse Honors
Co-Players of the Year: Kyle Playstead, Bellarmine / Brandon Dodd, Air Force
Midfielder of the Year: Gannon Matthews, Cleveland State
Defensive Player of the Year: Troy Hettinger, Jacksonville
Freshman of the Year: Ryan Stines, Utah
Coach of the Year: Andrew McMinn, Utah
ASUN First Team All-Conference
GK - Luke Millican, Jacksonville
D - Chris Bardak, Air Force
D - Troy Hettinger, Jacksonville
D - Joey Boylston, Utah
D - Samuel Cambere, Utah
MF - Gannon Matthews, Cleveland State
MF - Brandon Galloway, Jacksonville
MF - Ashton Wood, Mercer
MF - Aidan Tolen, Air Force
A - Brandon Dodd, Air Force
A - Kyle Playsted, Bellarmine
A - Tyler Bradbury, Utah
A - Jordan Hyde, Utah
ASUN Second Team All-Conference
GK - Jason Rose, Air Force
D - Jacob Berggren, Bellarmine
D - Jack Heed, Jacksonville
D - Wesley Chairs, Mercer
D - Owen Down, Robert Morris
D - Colby Plotts, Utah
MF - Ryan Birney, Detroit Mercy
MF - Jared Andreala, Utah
MF - Cole Brams, Utah
MF - Koa Todd, Utah
A - Benny O'Rourk, Bellarmine
A - Dylan Watson, Jacksonville
A - Taggart Clark, Robert Morris
ASUN All-Freshman Team
Ryan Stines, Utah
Grant Guthrie, Bellarmine
Drew Kessenich, Detroit Mercy
Wesley Scurci, Lindenwood
Michael Frederick, Mercer
Nikko DiPonio, Utah
Luke Vrsansky, Air Force
Xander Johnson, Cleveland State
Aaron Toguri, Jacksonville
Flint Thielen, Lindenwood
Brendan Nace, Queens
