Ryan Thompson, Adrian Bush Pick Up Conference Hardware
ORLANDO, Fla. - University of Tampa goalkeeper Ryan Thompson and head coach Adrian Bush earned top awards as 22 student-athletes representing eight institutions comprised the 2008 all-Sunshine State Conference men's soccer team, which was announced Thursday by Commissioner Michael J. Marcil.
Tampa's Ryan Thompson was selected Defensive Player of the Year, while Spartan coach Adrian Bush was chosen Coach of the Year. Lynn's Jean Alexandre was named Player and Offensive Player of the Year. Barry's Mark Anderson garnered Freshman of the Year honors.
Fellow Spartans Pascal Milien, Ryan Maxwell and Dan Ingvarsson also joined Thompson on the first-team, which included a total of four Spartans. For the first time since 1997, there were four Spartans on the first team. Thompson also becomes the first-ever SSC Defensive Player of the Year from Tampa as Bush became the first Tampa coach since Keith Fulk in 2001 to earn the honor.
Voting for the all-conference team was conducted among the league's men's soccer coaches and sports information directors.
Joining Alexandre and Thompson on the all-SSC first team were: forwards Pascal Milien (Tampa) and Luke Sheekey (Eckerd); midfielders Ryan Maxwell (Tampa), Romain Onteniente (Nova South eastern), and Nano Short (Lynn); defenders James Hayers (Lynn), Dan Ingvarsson (Tampa), and Lee Porter (Lynn); and at-large selection Eusebio Montoya (Saint Leo).
Earning all-SSC second team recognition were: forwards Stanley Abada (Florida Tech), Anderson, and Jonathan Glenn (Saint Leo); midfielders Tyrell Burgess (Lynn), Joe Ilett (Eckerd), and Naru Wild-Putsorn (Florida Tech); defenders Sam Craven (Lynn), Jacob Deloach (Rollins), and John Fletcher (Eckerd); goalkeeper Adam Alcock (Lynn); and at-large selection Gabe Taboada (Lynn).
Thompson was a formidable force in goal for Tampa, leading the SSC with a .874 save percentage and tying for first with seven shutouts. The Kingston, Jamaica native ranked second with a 0.80 goals against average and 90 saves. He amassed 15 saves in back-to-back conference wins versus Barry and Eckerd.
Bush earns his first Coach of the Year recognition after leading the Spartans to a 14-2-1 overall record and a 6-2 mark in conference play. His squad displayed a balanced attack, ranking second in points (157) and goals (58), while also placing second in goals allowed (14). Tampa led the league with nine shutouts on the season. Currently ranked No. 10 in NCAA Division II, the Spartans have spent a good portion of the season in the Top 25. They are also the No. 2 team in the South Region according to the NCAA's latest regional rankings.
2008 ALL-SUNSHINE STATE CONFERENCE MEN'S SOCCER TEAM
FIRST TEAM
F - Jean Alexandre, Lynn, Senior
F - Pascal Milien, Tampa, Junior
F - Luke Sheekey, Eckerd, Junior
M - Ryan Maxwell, Tampa, Senior
M - Romain Onteniente, Nova Southeastern, Junior
M - Nano Short, Lynn, Senior
D - James Hayers, Lynn, Senior
D - Dan Ingvarsson, Tampa, Sophomore
D - Lee Porter, Lynn, Senior
GK - Ryan Thompson, Tampa, Junior
At-Large - Eusebio Montoya, Saint Leo, Senior
Player of the Year - Jean Alexandre, Lynn
Offensive Player of the Year - Jean Alexandre, Lynn
Defensive Player o f the Year - Ryan Thompson, Tampa
Coach of the Year - Adrian Bush, Tampa
Freshman of the Year - Mark Anderson, Barry
SECOND TEAM
F - Stanley Abada, Florida Tech, Sophomore
F - Mark Anderson, Barry, Freshman
F - Jonathan Glenn, Saint Leo, Sophomore
M - Tyrell Burgess, Lynn, Senior
M - Joe Ilett, Eckerd, Senior
M - Naru Wild-Putsorn, Florida Tech, Freshman
D - Sam Craven, Lynn, Sophomore
D - Jacob Deloach, Rollins, Senior
D - John Fletcher, Eckerd, Senior
GK - Adam Alcock, Lynn, Sophomore
At-Large - Gabe Taboada, Lynn, Junior