2009 All-SSC Men’s Soccer Team Announced
A total of 24 student-athletes have been named to the 2009 All-Sunshine State Conference Men’s Soccer Team, which was announced on Thursday. Rollins’ J.D. Gruenewald was named Player and Offensive Player of the Year. Tampa’s Ryan Thompson was selected Defensive Player of the Year. Rollins’ Keith Buckley was recognized as Coach of the Year, and Barry’s Johnny Rodrigues was tabbed Freshman of the Year.
Voting for the all-conference men’s soccer team was conducted among the league’s coaches and sports information directors.
Joining Gruenewald and Thompson as All-SSC First Team honorees were: forwards Mark Anderson (Barry), Pascal Milien (Tampa), and Paulo Vaz (Lynn); midfielders Sascha Koettig (Barry) and Lister Warren (Tampa); defenders Jack Clifford (Rollins), Jacob Deloach (Rollins), and Dan Ingvarsson (Tampa), and at-large selection Luke Sheekey (Eckerd).
Earning All-SSC Second Team honors with Rodrigues were: forwards Dennis Chin (Rollins), Jonathan Glenn (Saint Leo), and Greg O’Connor (Tampa); midfielders Kyle Conrad (Lynn), Ryan Griffin (Tampa), and Craig Heenighan (Nova Southeastern); defenders Thomas Biddinger (Rollins), Joao Garcia (Barry), and Kyle Williams (Tampa); and goalkeeper Alessandro Salvatore (Lynn).
Midfielder Gabe Taboada (Lynn) and defender Scott Gordon (Lynn) received honorable mention.
A senior from Manlius, N.Y., Gruenewald has been a key component for the Rollins offense. He ranks third in the SSC with 31 points. He is tied for the league lead with 11 assists. Gruenewald also ties for fourth in the conference with 10 goals to his credit. Some of his most impressive performances have come against league foes, as he leads the SSC with 16 points in conference games.
Thompson earns Defensive Player of the Year recognition for the second straight season. A senior from Kingston, Jamaica, he ranks second in the conference in goals against average (0.84), save percentage (.838), and saves (62). Thompson is also tied for fifth in the league with three shutouts.
Currently in his 19th season at Rollins, Buckley wins his fifth Coach of the Year distinction after leading the Tars to the SSC regular-season co-championship with 16-1-1 overall record and a 7-1-0 conference mark. The title marked the third for the program. Buckley’s squad displays a balanced attack, posting a conference-best nine shutouts on defense, while also ranking as the second most potent offense with an average of 2.94 goals per contest. Currently ranked No. 5 in the latest NSCAA Division II poll, the Tars have been ranked as high as No. 3 this season.
A native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Rodrigues had an impressive collegiate debut at Barry. He ranks third in the SSC with five shutouts. He places fourth with a 1.09 goals against average and .781 save percentage. Rodrigues is also seventh in the conference with 50 saves.
2009 ALL-SUNSHINE STATE CONFERENCE MEN’S SOCCER TEAM
FIRST TEAM
F – Mark Anderson, Barry, Sophomore
F – Pascal Milien, Tampa, Senior
F – Paulo Vaz, Lynn, Sophomore
M – J.D. Gruenewald, Rollins, Senior
M – Sascha Koettig, Barry, Junior
M – Lister Warren, Tampa, Junior
D – Jack Clifford, Rollins, Junior
D – Jacob Deloach, Rollins, Senior
D – Dan Ingvarsson, Tampa, Junior
GK – Ryan Thompson, Tampa, Senior
At-Large – Luke Sheekey, Eckerd, Senior
Player of the Year – J.D. Gruenewald, Rollins
Offensive Player of the Year – J.D. Gruenewald, Rollins
Defensive Player of the Year – Ryan Thompson, Tampa
Coach of the Year – Keith Buckley, Rollins
Freshman of the Year – Johnny Rodrigues, Barry
SECOND TEAM
F – Dennis Chin, Rollins, Senior
F – Jonathan Glenn, Saint Leo, Junior
F – Greg O’Connor, Tampa, Sophomore
M – Kyle Conrad, Lynn, Junior
M – Ryan Griffin, Tampa, Sophomore
M – Craig Heenighan, Nova Southeastern, Junior
D – Thomas Biddinger, Rollins, Junior
D – Joao Garcia, Barry, Junior
D – Kyle Williams, Tampa, Senior
GK – Alessandro Salvatore, Lynn, Junior
At-Large – Johnny Rodrigues, Barry, Freshman
HONORABLE MENTION
M – Gabe Taboada, Lynn, Senior
D – Scott Gordon, Lynn, Junior