2012 All-GNAC Men’s Soccer Teams Announced
BOSTON, Mass. – The Great Northeast Athletic Conference has announced the 2012 All-GNAC Men's Soccer Teams and major awards following the completion of this weekend’s championship in which Albertus Magnus claimed the title following a penalty kick shootout over Norwich University.
BOSTON, Mass. – The Great Northeast Athletic Conference has announced the 2012 All-GNAC Men's Soccer Teams and major awards following the completion of this weekend's championship in which Albertus Magnus claimed the title following a penalty kick shootout over Norwich University.
Lasell College junior forward Mike Skelton (Conway, N.H.) has been named the GNAC Player of the Year following an impressive campaign for the Lasers. Skelton led the GNAC in goals while ranking tied for 24th in the nation with 14 scores and ranked second overall in the league in points with 31. The Conway, N.H. native helped Lasell earn the No. 1 seed in the GNAC playoffs, leading the squad to a 9-1 GNAC slate during the regular season. On the year, when Skelton scored a goal for Lasell the Lasers went an incredible 10-0 in those matches. Five of his tallies were a game-winning goal which was tied for the second-most among players in the GNAC.
Albertus Magnus College senior defender Nick Hamasian (Hamden, Conn.) has been named the GNAC Defensive Player of the Year after helping the Falcons to the 2012 GNAC Championship. This marks the second time in his career he's earned the honor as he was also tabbed the Defensive Player of the Year back in 2010. Hamasian played in and started 20 games in the backfield for AMC, helping the Falcons post a league-low 0.69 goals against average that included 11 shutouts. The back was also a part of the Falcons offensive success collecting 13 points on six goals and one assist but was more known for his lockdown defensive pressure and ability to shut down opponents key scoring threats.
The Falcons would collect another major award as freshman forward Alex Zapata (Hamden, Conn.) has been the GNAC Rookie of the Year. Zapata currently has 20 points on the year on nine goals and two assists. The forward ranks tied for fifth in the league in points while his nine scores are good for a third place tie. During the regular season, Zapata was named the conference's Rookie of the Week on three separate occasions. The Hamden, Conn. native helped the Falcons go 8-1 in games in which he scored a goal in this season including the game-winner in a 2-0 win in the GNAC Quarterfinals against Suffolk University on Oct. 27.
Norwich University head coach Kyle Dezotell has been named the GNAC Coach of the Year after leading the Cadets back to the GNAC Championships as the No. 4 seed. Behind Dezotell's leadership, Norwich posted an 11-5-3 overall mark and a 6-3-1 record in GNAC play. The Cadets upset the No. 1 seeded Lasell College Lasers in the GNAC Semifinals, 2-1, to earn the trip back to the finals before falling to Albertus in penalty kicks, 6-5. Earlier on the year, Dezotell set the Norwich program record for coaching victories when he captured his 89th career win on Oct. 3 against Emmanuel. The honor marks Dezotell's third GNAC Coach of the Year recognition as he also received the honor in 2007 and 2008.