2017 Men's Soccer All-Tournament Team and MVP
Following the Empire 8 Men’s Soccer Tournament and the naming of the Most Valuable Player, the entire 2017 All-tournament team has been announced.
Stevens – Nicholas Cousillas (MVP), Patrick Boylan, Tommy Dorsay and Andrew Masur
Sage – River Seybolt, Kevin Saar, Liam Hayes
Nazareth – Josh Crespo and Justin Pumputis
St. John Fisher –Justin Ferron and Joe Catalfamo
Cousillas was named the championship's most valuable player after leading the effort to hold the conference's top scorer, River Seybolt, without a shot on goal in the championship game.
Cousillias,
Boylan and
Dorsay were the solid on the defensive end of the field throughout the championship as the Ducks earned their seventh and eighth shutouts of the season. In the semifinal match against St. John Fisher, the Cardinals were held to eight shots throughout the game, with the defensive trio limited Sage to 12 shots in the championship match and only three of them on goal.
Masur was credited with the assist on the first goal in the 2-0 semifinal win against St. John Fisher. Masur was fouled and received a free kick from the edge of the attacking third and send a high ball outside the six-yard box that was headed into the net just before the end of the first half. In the championship game, Masur registered a team-high five shots.
Seybolt scored both goals in the semifinal against Nazareth to send Sage to the conference finals. With just 1:56 left in regulation, Seybolt tied the game as he collected a blocked shot and fired into the back of the net to force overtime. Late in the first overtime period, Seybolt scored his second goal of the match at 99:32 off a corner kick with heavy traffic in front of the net. In the championship game, Seybolt registered six of the Gators’ 12 shots.
Saar and
Hayes helped power the Gator offense as Sage fired of 34 shots against Nazareth and took eight corner kicks. On the defensive end, Saar and Hayes helped limit the Golden Flyers to nine shots on goal. In the championship game, Saar and Hayes were in control moving the ball up the field and helped Sage register 12 shots.
Crespo scored in the 23rd minute to give Nazareth a 1-0 lead in the semifinals. seventh goal of the season. Crespo received a back-heeled ball outside the box and rocketed a shot inside the far post for his seventh goal of the season.
Pumputis helped power a Golden Flyer defensive line that faced 34 shots including 12 on goal against the Sage Gators. Pumputis came up with a block on one of Seybolt’s shots from eight yards out to keep the Gators off the board.
Ferron was credited with two shots, including one on goal in the semifinal against top-seeded Stevens.
Catalfamo made six saves in the semifinal against Stevens.