Six Mountain Hawks earn All-League honors; Three win major awards
11/8/2019 11:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Following a successful regular season that resulted in the program's first regular season title since the 2006 season, Lehigh men's soccer received three of the six Patriot League major awards including six All-Patriot League team selections, when the league announced them Friday morning.
Sophomore forward Josh Luchini was named 2019 Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year for his incredible season that saw him lead both the team and league in goals scored with 11 on the year. He also added two assists and totaled 24 points, good enough for second of all Patriot League offensive players. Six of his 11 goals throughout the campaign were scored during league play and he registered his first collegiate hat trick on Sept. 28 against Boston University and was subsequently named National Player of the Week by the United Soccer Coaches and College Soccer News after his four goal, two game-winning goal week of play.
So far through two seasons in the Brown and White, Luchini has tallied 40 career points on 17 goals and six assists. Luchini becomes the fifth different Lehigh player to win the award and it's the eighth time a member of the program has been named Offensive Player of the Year. This also marks the third straight year a Mountain Hawk has won the award, following Mark Forrest, who was named the league's best offensive player at the conclusion of both the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
For the first time in his career after a historic four-year career in Bethlehem, senior goalkeeper Will Smith was named the 2019 Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year for another stellar season between the pipes. During Patriot League action this year, Smith led the league in both GAA (0.61) and save percentage (.854) as well as saves (35). He also led the league in overall save percentage (.840) and saves (68). Smith recorded eight shutouts throughout the year including two over Big Ten opponents Northwestern and Rutgers as well as one against Seton Hall of the Big East and one at then-No. 22 Navy. He currently ranks second in program history with 23 career shutouts and fifth in Patriot League history. During the course of this season, Smith was named Goalkeeper of the Week three times and finishes his career with a Patriot League-record 10 career awards.
Smith is just the second Lehigh player to ever win the Goalkeeper of the Year award and the first since Ciaran Nugent in 2011.
In addition to their major award recognition, both Luchini and Smith earned First Team All-Patriot League honors.
"I'm very pleased for Josh and Will being named Offensive Player and Goalkeeper of the Year, respectively as well as their First Team All-League honors," said head coach Dean Koski. "They are both in a very select group of former Lehigh players who also achieved this distinction.
"To date, they both had exceptional seasons and I am hopeful this will continue into the tournament."
For the fourth time in his 28-year career as the head coach of the Lehigh men's soccer team, Dean Koski has been named the 2019 Patriot League Coach of the Year for his outstanding efforts to get Lehigh back to the Patriot League Tournament as the top overall seed. This is just the second time in program history the Mountain Hawks have earned the Regular Season title and an undefeated league season since 2006, when the team received an at-large into the NCAA Tournament and advanced to the Sweet 16.
As well as being the longest tenured coach at Lehigh currently, Koski is the program's winningest head coach at 244 career victories and 95 career Patriot League victories, which ranks first in league history as well.
With the fourth Coach of the Year award of his career, Koski is tied for the most-ever nods in league history along with former Holy Cross head coach Elvis Comrie.
"I am honored to be acknowledged as Coach of the Year on behalf of my assistant coaches, Chris Tadley, Brendan McIntyre and most importantly, Associate Head Coach Ryan Hess who has assumed and incredible amount of responsibility in helping me lead this program," Koski said.
"It takes a team to build a team and the many people behind the scenes who have played an important role in our success need to be thanked as well, including our trainer Sean Crafton, Sports Performance Coach Dr. Ian Birky, Strength, Speed, Nutrition and Agility Coach Owen Breininger, leadership coach Julie Ammary, academic support coach Katie Guynn and our student coach/manager Alec Koski."
Lehigh had four players named First Team All-Patriot League and in addition to Luchini and Smith, junior midfielder Stevo Bednarsky and senior defender Zarin Tuten earned first team honors on Friday. Bednarsky finished the regular season with five points on two goals and an assist. Despite missing two games late in the year, Tuten was the anchor of Lehigh's defense as the center-back, leading the team to six shutouts and a GAA of 0.85. While this is the first time on the First Team for both players, this is the second All-League selection for Bednarsky and the second for Tuten as well.
This is the first time since 2006 (Adam Gazda, John O'Reilly, Jim Taranto and Joe Verdi) that four players were named to the First Team, and it's just the second instance in program history.
"I am thrilled for Stevo and Zarin for their First Team All-League selections as they both have been instrumental in guiding Lehigh to a Regular Season League title and a successful 11-4-3 record," said Koski. "They have been hugely important as defenders and ball-winners while also being strong leaders on and off the field."
Junior midfielder Trevor Koski was honored with a Second Team All-Patriot League selection after finishing second on the team in goals (4) and tied for the lead in assists as well (4). Sophomore defender Nick Jennings was named Third Team All-Patriot League for his performance during the season in which he tallied five points on a goal and three assists.
"Finally, it is also rewarding to see Trevor and Nick recognized as Second and Third Team All-League selections, respectively," Koski said. "They have also played a significant role in our team's success this season
"As a coach who recruited these players, I am proud of their individual accomplishments, but I am keenly aware that they all would credit their teammates for their individual success and trade all of these awards for a Patriot League Championship."
The road to Lehigh's third championship and first since 2015 starts on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. from the Ulrich Sports Complex when the top-seeded Mountain Hawks take on the lowest remaining seed out of the Patriot League Quarterfinals in a semifinal game. The winner of Tuesday's matchup will play for the Patriot League Championship next Saturday at the highest remaining seed. Tickets for Tuesday's semifinal are on sale here and for purchase at the box office at the complex prior to the start of the game.
Like Lehigh Men's Soccer on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
2019 Patriot League Men's Soccer Major Awards & All-Patriot League Teams
Offensive Player of the Year: Josh Luchini, Lehigh, So., F
Midfielder of the Year: Barry Sharifi, Loyola Maryland, Sr., M
Defensive Player of the Year: Matt Nocita, Navy, So., D
Goalkeeper of the Year: Will Smith, Lehigh, Sr., GK
Rookie of the Year: Daniel Osuji, Loyola Maryland, Fr., D
Coach of the Year: Dean Koski, Lehigh
First Team All-Patriot League
Josh Luchini, Lehigh, So., F
Brian Saramago, Loyola Maryland, Sr., F
Josh Fawole, Loyola Maryland, Sr., F
Jacob Williams, Navy, So., F
Matt Thorsheim, Bucknell, Jr., M
Stevo Bednarsky, Lehigh, Jr., M
Barry Sharifi, Loyola Maryland, Sr., M
Christian Clarke, Colgate, Sr., D
Zarin Tuten, Lehigh, Sr., D
Matt Nocita, Navy, So., D
Will Smith, Lehigh, Sr., GK
Second Team All-Patriot League*
Keenan O'Shea, Army West Point, Sr., F
Matt McDonnell, Boston University, Sr., F
Marcos Kitromilides, Lafayette, So., F
Kentaro Morrison, Colgate, Sr., M
Trevor Koski, Lehigh, Jr., M
Justin Ingram, Loyola Maryland, Jr., M
Wyatt Millard, Navy, Jr., M
Zac McGraw, Army West Point, Sr., D
Quinn Bredin, Bucknell, Sr., D
Davey Mason, Loyola Maryland, Sr., D
Tyler Collins, Navy, So., D
Chase Vosvick, Loyola Maryland, Jr., GK
Ian Bramblett, Navy, Jr., GK
Third Team All-Patriot League**
Edward Bass, Colgate, So., F
Nico Brown, Loyola Maryland, Sr., F
Nicko West, Navy, Jr., F
Ryan Goncalves, Lafayette, Sr., M
Diego Manrique, Navy, Sr., M
Satchel Cortet, Boston University, Sr., D
Christian Williams, Lafayette, Sr., D
Nick Jennings, Lehigh, So., D
Daniel Osuji, Loyola Maryland, Fr., D
Note: Student-athletes are listed by positions; then alphabetically by institution
* Due to a tie, there are four midfielders on the second team and two on the third team.
** Due to a tie, there are two goalkeepers on the second team and none on the third team.
Sophomore forward Josh Luchini was named 2019 Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year for his incredible season that saw him lead both the team and league in goals scored with 11 on the year. He also added two assists and totaled 24 points, good enough for second of all Patriot League offensive players. Six of his 11 goals throughout the campaign were scored during league play and he registered his first collegiate hat trick on Sept. 28 against Boston University and was subsequently named National Player of the Week by the United Soccer Coaches and College Soccer News after his four goal, two game-winning goal week of play.
So far through two seasons in the Brown and White, Luchini has tallied 40 career points on 17 goals and six assists. Luchini becomes the fifth different Lehigh player to win the award and it's the eighth time a member of the program has been named Offensive Player of the Year. This also marks the third straight year a Mountain Hawk has won the award, following Mark Forrest, who was named the league's best offensive player at the conclusion of both the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
For the first time in his career after a historic four-year career in Bethlehem, senior goalkeeper Will Smith was named the 2019 Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year for another stellar season between the pipes. During Patriot League action this year, Smith led the league in both GAA (0.61) and save percentage (.854) as well as saves (35). He also led the league in overall save percentage (.840) and saves (68). Smith recorded eight shutouts throughout the year including two over Big Ten opponents Northwestern and Rutgers as well as one against Seton Hall of the Big East and one at then-No. 22 Navy. He currently ranks second in program history with 23 career shutouts and fifth in Patriot League history. During the course of this season, Smith was named Goalkeeper of the Week three times and finishes his career with a Patriot League-record 10 career awards.
Smith is just the second Lehigh player to ever win the Goalkeeper of the Year award and the first since Ciaran Nugent in 2011.
In addition to their major award recognition, both Luchini and Smith earned First Team All-Patriot League honors.
"I'm very pleased for Josh and Will being named Offensive Player and Goalkeeper of the Year, respectively as well as their First Team All-League honors," said head coach Dean Koski. "They are both in a very select group of former Lehigh players who also achieved this distinction.
"To date, they both had exceptional seasons and I am hopeful this will continue into the tournament."
For the fourth time in his 28-year career as the head coach of the Lehigh men's soccer team, Dean Koski has been named the 2019 Patriot League Coach of the Year for his outstanding efforts to get Lehigh back to the Patriot League Tournament as the top overall seed. This is just the second time in program history the Mountain Hawks have earned the Regular Season title and an undefeated league season since 2006, when the team received an at-large into the NCAA Tournament and advanced to the Sweet 16.
As well as being the longest tenured coach at Lehigh currently, Koski is the program's winningest head coach at 244 career victories and 95 career Patriot League victories, which ranks first in league history as well.
With the fourth Coach of the Year award of his career, Koski is tied for the most-ever nods in league history along with former Holy Cross head coach Elvis Comrie.
"I am honored to be acknowledged as Coach of the Year on behalf of my assistant coaches, Chris Tadley, Brendan McIntyre and most importantly, Associate Head Coach Ryan Hess who has assumed and incredible amount of responsibility in helping me lead this program," Koski said.
"It takes a team to build a team and the many people behind the scenes who have played an important role in our success need to be thanked as well, including our trainer Sean Crafton, Sports Performance Coach Dr. Ian Birky, Strength, Speed, Nutrition and Agility Coach Owen Breininger, leadership coach Julie Ammary, academic support coach Katie Guynn and our student coach/manager Alec Koski."
Lehigh had four players named First Team All-Patriot League and in addition to Luchini and Smith, junior midfielder Stevo Bednarsky and senior defender Zarin Tuten earned first team honors on Friday. Bednarsky finished the regular season with five points on two goals and an assist. Despite missing two games late in the year, Tuten was the anchor of Lehigh's defense as the center-back, leading the team to six shutouts and a GAA of 0.85. While this is the first time on the First Team for both players, this is the second All-League selection for Bednarsky and the second for Tuten as well.
This is the first time since 2006 (Adam Gazda, John O'Reilly, Jim Taranto and Joe Verdi) that four players were named to the First Team, and it's just the second instance in program history.
"I am thrilled for Stevo and Zarin for their First Team All-League selections as they both have been instrumental in guiding Lehigh to a Regular Season League title and a successful 11-4-3 record," said Koski. "They have been hugely important as defenders and ball-winners while also being strong leaders on and off the field."
Junior midfielder Trevor Koski was honored with a Second Team All-Patriot League selection after finishing second on the team in goals (4) and tied for the lead in assists as well (4). Sophomore defender Nick Jennings was named Third Team All-Patriot League for his performance during the season in which he tallied five points on a goal and three assists.
"Finally, it is also rewarding to see Trevor and Nick recognized as Second and Third Team All-League selections, respectively," Koski said. "They have also played a significant role in our team's success this season
"As a coach who recruited these players, I am proud of their individual accomplishments, but I am keenly aware that they all would credit their teammates for their individual success and trade all of these awards for a Patriot League Championship."
The road to Lehigh's third championship and first since 2015 starts on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. from the Ulrich Sports Complex when the top-seeded Mountain Hawks take on the lowest remaining seed out of the Patriot League Quarterfinals in a semifinal game. The winner of Tuesday's matchup will play for the Patriot League Championship next Saturday at the highest remaining seed. Tickets for Tuesday's semifinal are on sale here and for purchase at the box office at the complex prior to the start of the game.
Like Lehigh Men's Soccer on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
2019 Patriot League Men's Soccer Major Awards & All-Patriot League Teams
Offensive Player of the Year: Josh Luchini, Lehigh, So., F
Midfielder of the Year: Barry Sharifi, Loyola Maryland, Sr., M
Defensive Player of the Year: Matt Nocita, Navy, So., D
Goalkeeper of the Year: Will Smith, Lehigh, Sr., GK
Rookie of the Year: Daniel Osuji, Loyola Maryland, Fr., D
Coach of the Year: Dean Koski, Lehigh
First Team All-Patriot League
Josh Luchini, Lehigh, So., F
Brian Saramago, Loyola Maryland, Sr., F
Josh Fawole, Loyola Maryland, Sr., F
Jacob Williams, Navy, So., F
Matt Thorsheim, Bucknell, Jr., M
Stevo Bednarsky, Lehigh, Jr., M
Barry Sharifi, Loyola Maryland, Sr., M
Christian Clarke, Colgate, Sr., D
Zarin Tuten, Lehigh, Sr., D
Matt Nocita, Navy, So., D
Will Smith, Lehigh, Sr., GK
Second Team All-Patriot League*
Keenan O'Shea, Army West Point, Sr., F
Matt McDonnell, Boston University, Sr., F
Marcos Kitromilides, Lafayette, So., F
Kentaro Morrison, Colgate, Sr., M
Trevor Koski, Lehigh, Jr., M
Justin Ingram, Loyola Maryland, Jr., M
Wyatt Millard, Navy, Jr., M
Zac McGraw, Army West Point, Sr., D
Quinn Bredin, Bucknell, Sr., D
Davey Mason, Loyola Maryland, Sr., D
Tyler Collins, Navy, So., D
Chase Vosvick, Loyola Maryland, Jr., GK
Ian Bramblett, Navy, Jr., GK
Third Team All-Patriot League**
Edward Bass, Colgate, So., F
Nico Brown, Loyola Maryland, Sr., F
Nicko West, Navy, Jr., F
Ryan Goncalves, Lafayette, Sr., M
Diego Manrique, Navy, Sr., M
Satchel Cortet, Boston University, Sr., D
Christian Williams, Lafayette, Sr., D
Nick Jennings, Lehigh, So., D
Daniel Osuji, Loyola Maryland, Fr., D
Note: Student-athletes are listed by positions; then alphabetically by institution
* Due to a tie, there are four midfielders on the second team and two on the third team.
** Due to a tie, there are two goalkeepers on the second team and none on the third team.
Players Mentioned
M/D
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
D/M
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's Soccer
D
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