All-SSC Men’s Soccer Team Announced
Twenty-five student-athletes were named to the 2007 All-Sunshine State Conference Men’s Soccer Team, announced Thursday by Commissioner Michael J. Marcil. Nova Southeastern’s Romain Onteniente was named SSC Player of the Year. Lynn’s Dwight Barnett was chosen Offensive Player of the Year, while teammate Tim Melia was tabbed Defensive Player of the Year, and coach Shaun Pendleton garnered Coach of the Year honors. Saint Leo’s Jonathan Glenn was selected Freshman of the Year.
Voting for the all-conference team was conducted among the league’s head men’s soccer coaches and sports information directors.
Regular-season champion Lynn led all schools with eight selections, five of whom received First Team recognition. Tampa placed five representatives on the squad, while Rollins and Saint Leo each had three honorees. Eckerd and Nova Southeastern had two student-athletes recognized, while Barry and Florida Southern had one each.
Joining Onteniente, Barnett, and Melia on the All-SSC First Team were: forward Eusebio Montoya (Saint Leo); midfielders Jean Alexandre (Lynn), Jon Gruenewald (Rollins), Nano Short (Lynn), and Brandon Whitsett (Saint Leo); defenders John Fletcher (Eckerd), Scott Murrell (Rollins), and Lee Porter (Lynn); and at-large selection Aly Hassan (Nova Southeastern).
Accompanying Glenn on the All-SSC Second Team were: forwards Ricardo Cardoso (Tampa) and Dennis Chin (Rollins); midfielders Henry Apaloo (Barry), Tyrell Burgess (Lynn), Ryan Maxwell (Tampa), Devin Shaw (Tampa), and Kevin Sierra (Tampa); defenders James Hayers (Lynn), Dan Ingvarsson (Tampa), and Ryan Wolfe (Florida Southern); goalkeeper Jim Lebonitte (Eckerd); and at-large selection Sam Craven (Lynn).
A native of Nice, France, Onteniente garners Player of the Year honors after notching 18 goals, six assists, and 42 points for Nova Southeastern. The sophomore ranks first in the SSC in both goals and points.
A senior, Barnett earns Offensive Player of the Year recognition after ranking second in the conference with 14 goals, nine assists, and 37 points. A native of Jamaica, N.Y., he ties for the league lead with five game-winning goals.
Melia (Great River, N.Y.) posted a perfect 14-0 record in goal en route to winning Defensive Player of the Year distinction. Melia boasts a conference-best 0.56 goals against average and .822 save percentage. The senior also leads the SSC with seven shutouts and ranks seventh with 37 saves.
Pendleton claims Coach of the Year honors for the third time since Lynn joined the league. Having won their fourth SSC title, the Knights showcase a balanced attack that leads the league in every major offensive and defensive statistical category. Lynn ranks first in the SSC in points (159), goals (54), assists (51), goals allowed (11), and shutouts (8). Currently ranked No. 10 in the NSCAA/adidas national rankings, Pendleton’s squad has been nationally ranked all season and spent a number of weeks at No. 1. Lynn is also currently ranked No. 2 in the NCAA Division II South Region Rankings.
Coming to Saint Leo from Maloney Gardens, Trinidad & Tobago, Glenn was stellar in his debut season with the Lions. He tallied 14 goals, four assists, and 32 points. Glenn ties for second in the league in goals and is fourth in points.
2007 ALL-SSC MEN’S SOCCER TEAM
FIRST TEAM
F – Dwight Barnett, Lynn, Senior
F – Eusebio Montoya, Saint Leo, Junior
F – Romain Onteniente, Nova Southeastern, Sophomore
M – Jean Alexandre, Lynn, Junior
M – Jon Gruenewald, Rollins, Junior
M – Nano Short, Lynn, Junior
M – Brandon Whitsett, Saint Leo, Junior
D – John Fletcher, Eckerd, Junior
D – Scott Murrell, Rollins, Junior
D – Lee Porter, Lynn, Junior
GK – Tim Melia, Lynn, Senior
At-Large – Aly Hassan, Nova Southeastern, Freshman
Player of the Year – Romain Onteniente, Nova Southeastern
Offensive Player of the Year – Dwight Barnett, Lynn
Defensive Player of the Year – Tim Melia, Lynn
Coach of the Year – Shaun Pendleton, Lynn
Freshman of the Year – Jonathan Glenn, Saint Leo
SECOND TEAM
F – Ricardo Cardoso, Tampa, Senior
F – Dennis Chin, Rollins, Junior
F – Jonathan Glenn, Saint Leo, Freshman
M – Henry Apaloo, Barry, Senior
M – Tyrell Burgess, Lynn, Junior
M – Ryan Maxwell, Tampa, Junior
M – Devin Shaw, Tampa, Senior
M – Kevin Sierra, Tampa, Senior
D – James Hayers, Lynn, Senior
D – Dan Ingvarsson, Tampa, Freshman
D – Ryan Wolfe, Florida Southern, Senior
GK – Jim Lebonitte, Eckerd, Senior
At-Large – Sam Craven, Lynn, Freshman