PITMAN—Rutgers University-Newark sophomore forward Fabio De Sousa and Rowan University sophomore back Modou Sowe have been named the New Jersey Athletic Conference Men’s Soccer Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year respectively for the 2017 season. In total, 43 student-athletes garnered all-conference recognition in NJAC men’s soccer in 2017. All selections were determined by a vote of the league’s 10 head coaches and were based on conference-only statistics.
A two-time first-team NJAC all-conference selection, De Sousa claimed the second major NJAC award of his career after previously being named NJAC Rookie of the Year in 2016. A three-time NJAC Offensive Player of the Week selection in 2017, he finished the NJAC season ranked tied for first in conference-only goals (8) and second in conference-only points (18). De Sousa also finished his second NJAC regular season ranked tied for second in conference-only game-winning goals (3).
Sowe becomes the second straight Prof to claim the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award after anchoring a defense which tied for the lead in conference-only shutouts (4) while finishing second in conference-only team goals against average (0.86). A Week 2 NJAC Defensive Player of the Week honoree, Sowe keyed a Rowan defense which allowed only eight goals in 837 minutes of NJAC regular season play.
Rutgers University-Newark senior Hubert Dul was selected as the Pat Baldiserra Midfielder of the Year. A two-time NJAC all-conference selection, he finished the NJAC season ranked tied for third in conference-only assists (4) and tied for fifth in conference-only points (12). Dul also wrapped up his senior NJAC campaign ranked tied for seventh in conference-only goals (4).
Rutgers University-Newark sophomore Andres Medina was named the NJAC Goalkeeper of the Year. A two-time NJAC all-conference selection, he wrapped up conference play as the league-leader in conference-only save percentage (.875) while tying for the NJAC lead in conference-only shutouts (4). A two-time NJAC Defensive Player of the Week honoree in 2017, Medina also ranked second in conference-only goals against average (0.66).
Rowan University senior midfielder Tyler Logar was the recipient of the conference’s David Logar Leadership Award. The award is presented annually to the player who best displays the attributes of leadership and courage. A two-time NJAC all-conference selection, Tyler Logar receives the award named in honor of his late uncle David Logar after finishing the NJAC season ranked second in conference-only assists (5).
Kean University freshman forward Vinceroy Nelson was selected as the NJAC Rookie of the Year. A Week 7 NJAC Rookie of the Week selection, he finished his first league season ranked tied for seventh in conference-only goals (4) and tied for fifth in conference-only game-winning goals (2). Nelson also finished NJAC play ranked 11th in conference-only points (9).
Rowan University head coach Scott Baker was tapped as the NJAC Coach of the Year by his peers. In 2017, he has guided the Profs to a 16-2-1 overall record and the NJAC regular season championship via a league-best 8-0-1 mark in conference play. In four seasons in Glassboro, Baker has guided his alma mater to an overall record of 59-20-2, while his career collegiate coaching record stands at 65-31-2.