FAIRFAX, Va. – Five different Patriots were selected as All-Conference award winners and rookie goalkeeper Steffen Kraus was named the Atlantic 10 Men's Soccer Rookie of the Year as postseason awards were announced on Wednesday.
Kraus is the first Patriot to receive men's soccer Rookie of the Year honors since Sean Kelley did so in 2006. In addition, Kraus earned a spot on the All-Conference Second Team and a place on the All-Rookie Team as well. The freshman led the Atlantic 10 with a 0.65 goals-against-average this season, allowing 11 goals in 16 games. He also ranked second with 0.44 shutouts per game and tied for second with seven shutouts this season, starting every game for the Patriots.
Senior defender Taylor Washington was selected to the All-Conference First Team after leading a back line that ranks 11th in the country in team goals-against-average. Washington started all 16 games for the Patriots, recording one assist in the 1-1 tie against La Salle.
Joining Kraus on the All-Conference Second Team is senior midfielder Alex Herrera and senior defensemen Zak Haapaoja. Herrera earned All-CAA Third Team honors last season. In his senior campaign, Herrera appeared in 14 games, recording one goal and three assists this season on nine shots. His successful penalty kick in the game against Rhode Island helped decide the 2-1 victory, in which he also delivered the game winning assist. The Arlington, Va. native also contributed assists in wins over American and UMass.
Haapaoja was another leader for the Patriot's on defense this season. A 16-game starter, he recorded nine shots on the season and the game winning assist in Mason's 1-0 overtime victory against St. Joseph's in Philadelphia.
Freshman Zach Herstek joins Kraus on the All-Rookie team after a two-goal season for Mason. Herstek played in 13 games, starting eight while recording goals in 2-1 victories over UMass and St. Bonaventure to finish the season with four points.
St. Louis' Mike McGinty earned Coach of the Year honors after leading his squad to a 12-4-2 overall record and a 6-0-2 first place record in the conference. The Billikens' Anthony Manning and Alex Sweetin were also award winners, capturing Defensive Player of the Year and Midfielder of the Year honors, respectively. Jason Plumhoff of La Salle was named Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Year.
First-Team
Forwards
Kharlton Belmar, VCU
Robert Kristo, Saint Louis
Emmet O'Connor, St. Bonaventure
Midfielders
Romena Bowie, VCU
Abe Keller, Dayton
Jason Plumhoff, La Salle
Alex Sweetin, Saint Louis
Defenders
Dennis Castillo, VCU
Anthony Manning, Saint Louis
Taylor Washington, George Mason
Goalkeeper
John McCarthy, La Salle
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Second-Team
Forwards
Kingsley Bryce, Saint Louis
Greg Enstone, Dayton
Devon Fischer, VCU
Midfielders
Alex Herrera, George Mason
David Graydon, Saint Louis
Matt Sykes, Rhode Island
Brad Vanino, St. Bonaventure
Defenders
Tyler David, Saint Louis
Zak Haapaoja, George Mason
Juan Monge Solano, VCU
Goalkeeper
Steffan Kraus, George Mason
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All-Academic
Andrew Derayeh, St. Bonaventure
Adnan Gabeljic Saint Louis
Simon Gomez, Duquesne
John Howe, Dayton
Abe Keller, Dayton
Jonathan Nelson, Dayton
Tyler Ranalli, George Washington
Josh Schwartz, UMass
Colin Phillips, Duquesne
Jonathan Nelson, Dayton
Andrew Wells, VCU
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All-Rookie
Steffen Kraus, George Mason
Amass Amankona, Dayton
Thomas De Villardi, Duquesne
Kadeem Pantophlet, Duquesne
Tobi Adewole, George Washington
Rahim Costa Dorsey, VCU
Dakota Barnathan, VCU
Zach Herstek, George Mason
Rafael Gamboa, Dayton
Andrew Hickey, Fordham
James Haupt, Dayton
Chris Alescio, Duquesne
