BOSTON – New Hampshire, the 10th-ranked team in the nation and the America East men’s soccer regular-season champion, has been rewarded with four of the league’s six spring 2021 major accolades. Additionally, the conference’s All-Conference, All-Rookie and All-Academic Teams were unveiled on Wednesday.
The Wildcats took the majority of the major awards as Rory O’Driscoll earned Midfielder of the Year honors, Bridger Hansen was tabbed the Defender of the Year, Alejandro Robles picked up his second-straight Goalkeeper of Year award and the UNH coaches were named Coaching Staff of the Year. Additionally, NJIT’s Regsan Watkins garnered Striker of the Year recognition and Vermont’s Daniel Pacella was the Rookie of the Year.
The award winners were determined in a vote by the league's head coaches who were not permitted to vote for their own players.
Spring 2021 #AEMSOC Major Award Winners
Striker of the Year
Regsan Watkins, Sr., NJIT
- In NJIT's first season in the league, Watkins scored a conference-high seven goals.
- Also led the league in points with 17.
- Watkins paced the second-highest scoring offense in #AEMSOC, ranking 13th in the country in points per game.
- He was also selected to the All-Conference First Team.
Midfielder of the Year
Rory O’Driscoll, So., New Hampshire
- Started six games in the midfield in his sophomore season.
- O'Driscoll helped the Wildcats lead the conference with over 2.5 goals per game.
- The sophomore tallied six points on the season on two goals and a pair of assists.
- He was a first-team All-Conference selection for the first time as well as an All-Academic choice.
Defender of the Year
Bridger Hansen, Gr., New Hampshire
- Anchored a back line that ranked second in America East with six goals allowed.
- Hansen also helped the Wildcats rank second with a 0.86 goals against average.
- He was named a first-team All-Conference selection.
- Hansen is the third consecutive Wildcat to earn the honor, following All-American Josh Bauer.
Goalkeeper of the Year
Alejandro Robles, Gr., New Hampshire
- Leads #AEMSOC and ranks 19th in the country with a .590 goals against average.
- Recorded two shutouts on the season and compiled a .765 save percentage.
- Became the fifth keeper to be named Goalkeeper of the Year in consecutive seasons.
- He was also named the All-Conference First Team keeper as well as an All-Academic selection.
Rookie of the Year
Daniel Pacella, Fr., Vermont
- Started all six games for the Catamounts.
- Helped Vermont to a 4-1-1 league record and two-seed in the #AEMSOC Championship.
- Pacella was a mainstay in the midfield and helped Vermont rank sixth nationally with a .50 goals against average.
- Was also named to the All-Conference Second Team.
Coaching Staff of the Year
New Hampshire
- Marc Hubbard and his staff led the Wildcats to a second consecutive regular-season title and top seed in the postseason.
- At 4-0-1, UNH completed the league's first unbeaten season since 2014, when UMBC did so and advanced to the College Cup.
- This is the third Coaching Staff of the Year honor in four years for UNH.
- Hubbard is joined on his staff by Rich Weinrebe, Nick Thompson and Dave Williams.
In addition to the major awards, the All-Conference teams were also named, led by eight selections from the Wildcats.
Pacella headlined the All-Rookie squad along with fellow freshman Aki Solvason from Stony Brook, who was a second-team All-Conference forward.
The All-Academic squad features 11 impressive student-athletes, eight of which earned All-Conference recognition. All 11 recipients carry a GPA of 3.60 or better.
Stay up-to-date on the tournament by visiting Championship Central complete championship information. Follow @AmericaEast and @AEDigitalNet on Twitter to get the real-time championship updates. Use the #AEChamps and #AEMSOC hashtags to join the conversation.
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