CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Mid-American Conference announced the 2019 Men's Soccer postseason awards Thursday. The league’s six head coaches selected the All-MAC First and Second Team, Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year and the Gary V. Palmisano Coach of the Year. Due to ties, the 2019 All-MAC First Team and Second Team is comprised of 12 players instead of 11.
SIUE senior Jorge Gonzalez was named the 2019 Mid-American Conference Men’s Soccer Player of the Year. Gonzalez finished this season at the top of the MAC in goals (9), points (23), and game-winning goals (4), and led SIUE to a 8-5-4 overall record while finishing conference play with a record of 2-1-2.
Akron Zips Head Coach Jared Embick was recognized as the 2019 Gary V. Palmisano Coach of the Year. The 7th year head coach lead Akron to an undefeated conference record to earn the Zips 20th conference regular season title!
The 2019 Freshman of the Year award was given to Western Michigan forward Charlie Sharp. The Brighton, Michigan product played in all 18 games for the Broncos this season, tallying seven goals and two assists on the year.
The All-MAC first team is highlighted by MAC Player of the Year Jorge Gonzalez and MAC Freshman of the Year Charlie Sharp. Sharp is joined on the first team by Western Michigan teammates Brennan Creek and Sam Biek.
A trio of the Regular Season Champion Akron Zips were also named to the first team. Two-time first team member David Egbo is joined by 2018 All-Tournament Team member Carlo Ritaccio, as well as midfielder Colin Biros.
NIU was represented on the team by both Nick and Anthony Markanich, along with junior midfielder Alex Welch. Rounding out the first team is the Bowling Green defensive tandem Achille Robin, and Anthony Mwembia.
The 2019 Mid-American Conference Men's Soccer Championship will begin Friday at The University of Akron. No. 2 Western Michigan will face No. 6 West Virginia in the first semifinals match, beginning at 3:00 p.m. EST. Top-seeded Akron will take on No. 4 Bowling Green at 6:00 p.m. EST. The winners of the two semifinal games will meet in the championship match on Sunday, November 17 at 1:00 p.m. EST. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+. For more about the 2019 MAC Men's Soccer Championship, click here.
2019 MAC Player of the Year
Jorge Gonzalez, SIUE
2019 MAC Freshman of the Year
Charlie Sharp, Western Michigan
Gary V. Palmisano Coach of the Year
Jared Embick, Akron
First Team All-MAC
Carlo Ritaccio, Akron
David Egbo, Akron
Colin Biros, Akron
Achille Robin, Bowling Green
Anthony Mwembia, Bowling Green
Alex Welch, NIU
Nick Markanich, NIU
Anthony Markanich, NIU
Jorge Gonzalez, SIUE
Charlie Sharp, Western Michigan
Brennan Creek Western Michigan
Sam Biek Western Michigan
Second Team All-MAC
Christian Lue Young, Akron
Will Jackson, Akron
Daniel Strachan, Akron
Chris Sullivan, Bowling Green
Charlie Maciejewski, Bowling Green
Zach Buescher, Bowling Green
Chris Brennan, Bowling Green
Jan Maertins, NIU
Jacob Meier, SIUE
Anthony Bowie, Western Michigan
Issac Walker, Western Michigan
Sebastian Garcia-Herreros, West Virginia
