The Great Northwest Athletic Conference champion Simon Fraser University men's soccer team received 13 awards following the coaches' poll for the all-conference teams.
Three members of the team earned individual awards, while 10 men were selected to the three all-star teams.
Clan midfielder Michael Winter was selected as conference player of the year and assigned, by a unanimous vote, to the first team. The senior started all 18 games for SFU this season and was a force on the defensive end while also picking up five goals and two assists in the attacking zone.
"Winning this award feels great," said Winter. "It still hasn't sunk in yet. I was surrounded by a great group of guys this season, and they really pushed me to do my best. I definitely feel like I took this season more seriously than the last, and it is nice to see mine and the team's efforts pay off today and throughout the season".
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 along the way.
"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. "It's an honour and I hope we can carry this over to the post season. I think my decision-making has improved this year and I'm more calm on the ball."
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.
"It is very nice to get an accolade where your peers vote on the body of work that you have done. So it is a nice award to win in that respect," said Koch of his award. "However, 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."
Following the coaches' poll, four Clan athletes earned first team honours, four earned second team honours and two earned honourable mention selection.
For the second time in their SFU careers, Carlo Basso, Helge Neumann, Matt Besuschko and Winter were chosen to the all-conference first team. Basso and Besuschko were both won this award in the 2011 season, while Winter and Neumann earned the honours in 2010.
Seniors Neumann and Besuschko led the SFU defence this season, as the team allowed only 12 goals against over 18 games. The duo started all 18 games, and managed to pick up a goal each as well.
Basso scored 12 goals and had seven assists for the Clan in his junior season, securing his unanimous selection to the first team.
Chris Bargholz, Justin Wallace, Quante Abbott Hill Smith and Dhillon were all selected to the second team.
Bargholz, who started all of his 15 games for the Clan, was a force in the midfield, netting five goals and three assists on the season, while Wallace, last season's newcomer of the year, tallied nine goals and seven assists in 18 games played.
Freshman Abbott Hill Smith was the only other freshman aside from teammate Dhillon to be selected as a second team all-star. In his first collegiate season, Abbot Hill Smith proved his value to the team starting all 17 of his games played.
Jovan Blagojevic and Alex Rowley picked up honourable mention awards for the Clan thanks to their abilities on the pitch.
Before a season ending injury, Blagojevic netted six goals and four assists for the Clan, while Rowley, in his freshman year, filled the centre midfield position for an injured Juan Sanchez. Rowley had three goals and eight assists for the Clan, while enjoying an outstanding season on the defensive end.
"Moving forward we just need to keep building on our play," continued 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."
