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Clan soccer reaps all-conference awards

The Great Northwest Athletic Conference champion Simon Fraser University men's soccer team received 13 awards following a coaches' poll for all-conference teams.

The Great Northwest Athletic Conference champion Simon Fraser University men's soccer team received 13 awards following a coaches' poll for all-conference teams.

Clan midfielder Michael Winter was selected as the Great Northwest player of the year and a unanimous pick to the all-conference first team.

The senior defender started all 18 games for the Clan this season and was a force on the back end, while also picking up five goals and two assists in the attacking zone.

"Winning this award feels great," said Winter in a press release. "I was surrounded by a great group of guys this season, and they really pushed me to do my best."

Ryan Dhillon was awarded the freshman of the year award and was selected a second team all-star. As a redshirt freshman, Dhillon earned 19 points for the Clan, scoring seven goals and five assists.

"It's exciting and I'd have to say it's a tribute to the quality of players I've been playing with that's allowed me to have such a great season," said Dhillon. "I hope we can carry this over to the post season."

Clan head coach Alan Koch earned the team's third individual award, receiving the coach of the year award for a third consecutive year.

Koch has won this award every year the team has been active in the Great Northwest conference.

"I firmly believe that the coach of the year award does not really go to the coach. It goes to the whole team. It goes to my assistant coaches, the players, the support staff, the admin, because without everyone else who contributes to the team there is no such award. So I would like to share this award with everyone else."

Four Clan athletes earned first team honours, including Carlo Basso, Helge Neumann, Matt Besuschko and Winter who all earned a spot on the all-conference first team for a second time.

Chris Bargholz and Justin Wallace, as well as freshmen Quante Abbott Hill Smith and Dhillon were also selected to the second team.

Jovan Blagojevic and a third freshman, Alex Rowley, picked up honourable mention awards.

"Moving forward we just need to keep building on our play," added Winter. "The national tournament we are about to begin is a big deal and we want to lead the way for SFU moving forward, and secure our reputation as a school that excels in athletics."