Men’s Soccer Lands Two on All-SoCon First Team

Nov. 9, 2012. SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Appalachian State University men’s soccer placed two players on the Southern Conference’s all-conference first team, as voted on by the coaches and announced by the league’s office on Tuesday.

Senior defender Lee Williams and junior goalkeeper Danny Free became the first multiple player tandem to be named to the All-SoCon first team in the season since Arie Muniz, Paul Pessina and Collin Taylor were named to the conference honor in 2008. The last player to be named to the postseason team from Appalachian was Sean Dreybus in 2010.

Williams, from Liverpool, England, began the season being named to the Hermann Watch List, projecting the top college players in the nation. Williams was one-of-42 players in the nation to be named to the honor. The senior is currently one shot away from tying his career-high in shots with 10 and is known for his aggressive tackling and vocal leadership.

For Williams, this is the third time in his four-year career making a postseason team, claiming spots on the second-team the last two seasons. This is the first time Williams has been selected for the first team.

Free becomes the first App State goalkeeper since Taylor to make the all-SoCon team. In 13 matches this season, Free is second in the conference and 81st in the nation averaging 1.12 goals against. The Doncaster, England native earned four shutouts and has made 49 saves for the year.

This is first postseason award for Free in his three-year career.

With Williams and Free being recognized by the conference, it is the 86th and 87th time an Appalachian player has been named to All-Southern Conference first team.

Williams and Free lead the Mountaineers to Cary, N.C. for their third consecutive trip to the SoCon quarterfinals on Thursday, Nov. 8. The Apps face No. 7 seed Wofford for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.

 

2012 Men’s Soccer All-Conference Team

Player of the Year – Chris Thomas, Sr., F, Elon

Coach of the Year – Darren Powell, Elon

Freshman of the Year – Nestor Jaramillo, MF, Wofford

 

First Team

F Chris Thomas, Elon

F Coleton Henning, Furman

F Hakan Ilhan, UNCG

MF Sean de Silva, College of Charleston

MF Michael Gandier, Furman

MF Martin Ontiveros, Furman

MF Alex Hutchins, Wofford

D Lee Williams, Appalachian State

D Nicky MacKain, Furman

D Walker Zimmerman, Furman

GK Danny Free, Appalachian State

 

Second Team

F Luke Hugget, College of Charleston

F Gabe Latigue, Elon

F Carlos Dominguez Gonzalez, Wofford

MF Ralphie Lundy, College of Charleston

MF Matt Wescoe, Elon

MF Hunter Norton, Georgia Southern

D Daan Brinkman, College of Charleston

D Drew Ruggles, Georgia Southern

D Forrest Lasso, Wofford

GK Kees Heemskerk, College of Charleston

GK Peyton Ford, UNCG

 

All-Freshman Team

Samuel McBride, Elon

Miguel Salazar, Elon

Tyler Peoples, Furman

Tony Santibanez, Furman

Eric Steber, Furman

Rocco Bagley, Georgia Southern

Eric Dinka, Georgia Southern

Reed Norton, Georgia Southern

Lukas Zarges, UNCG

Connor Davis, Wofford