BOSTON, Mass. – Five student-athletes, including a pair of repeat honorees, have earned major awards for their performances during the 2022 #AEMSOC regular season. Regular season champion New Hampshire took home three of the six awards.
UNH’s Yanick Bright and Vermont’s Nate Silveira repeated as Midfielder and Goalkeeper of the Year. Bright’s teammate, Moise Bombito, was selected as the Defender of the Year, while Taylor Calheira (UMBC) was named Striker of the Year and Maximus Barboto (NJIT) earned Rookie of the Year honors. UNH’s coaching staff was recognized as the Coaching Staff of the Year following a fourth straight regular season championship.
The major award winners were determined in a vote by the league's nine head coaches who were not permitted to vote for their own players.
2022 #AEMSOC Major Award Winners
Striker of the Year
Taylor Calheira, Jr., UMBC
- Ranked second in the conference in points (29) and goals (11).
- Led conference in shots (70) and shots on goals (32).
- Fourth different UMBC player to win Striker of the Year and the first since Kay Bango in 2014.
- First-Team All-Conference selection.
Midfielder of the Year
Yannick Bright, Jr., New Hampshire
- Controlled the middle of the field for UNH and totaled two goals and one assist.
- Helped UNH rank sixth nationally in goals against average (0.562) and 22nd in goal differential (+20).
- Also won 2021 Midfielder of the Year and it marks the fourth straight season a Wildcats has earned this honor.
- First-Team All-Conference selection.
Defender of the Year
Moise Bombito, Jr., New Hampshire
- Anchored a defense that ranked sixth nationally in goals against average (0.562) and 22nd in goal differential (+20).
- Scored three times this year, including two game-winning goals to lead UNH to Regular Season Championship.
- Fifth straight Wildcat to earn Defender of the Year honors.
- First-Team All-Conference selection.
Goalkeeper of the Year
Nate Silveira, Gr., Vermont
- Ranked fourth nationally in goals against average (0.516) and 11th in save percentage (0.826), leading the conference in both categories.
- Posted eight shutouts and helped UVM earn highest national ranking in program history (8th).
- Took home 2021 Goalkeeper of the Year honors and the sixth player in conference history to win the award twice.
- First-Team All-Conference selection.
Rookie of the Year
Maximus Barboto, Fr., NJIT
- Led all rookies in assists (4) and tied for the second in points among rookies (4), as a midfielder.
- Helped the defense allow one or zero goals in five of seven conference games, including a pair of shutouts.
- First Rookie of the Year from NJIT and just the second NJIT player to earn a #AEMSOC major award.
- Named to the All-Rookie Team.
Coaching Staff of the Year
New Hampshire (Marc Hubbard Head Coach)
- Led 20th ranked UNH to fourth straight regular season championship, becoming the second program in #AEMSOC history to accomplish the feat.
- Led a defense which allowed just three goals in conference play and posted five shutouts.
- Won Coaching Staff of the Year for the fourth consecutive season, an #AEMSOC record, and the fifth time in the last six seasons.
- Marc Hubbard is assisted by Brad Campion, John Shaad and David Williams.
On Nov. 4, 22 players earned All-Conference recognition, while 12 were All-Rookie selections and 13 were named All-Academic. View a complete list of All-Conference, All-Rookie & All-Academic selections here.
The 2022 America East #AEMSOC Championship continues with semifinal action on Thursday, Nov. 10. Top seed UNH hosts Binghamton at 6 p.m. while #2 Vermont welcomes UAlbany at 7 p.m. The highest remaining seed will host the conference title on Sunday, Nov. 13.
Stay up-to-date on the tournament by visiting Championship Central for streaming and live stats links as well as box scores, highlights and recaps following each round in addition to team information, tournament history and more.
Follow @AmericaEast on Twitter and Instagram to get the real-time championship updates. Use the #AEChamps and #AEMSOC hashtags to join the conversation.
About America East: The America East provides its member schools and their athletic programs a platform upon which student-athletes can achieve both collegiate and life success through the promotion and nurturing of athletic excellence, academic achievement and leadership, on and off the field.
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