Clarksville, Ark.- The University of the Ozarks men's soccer team compiled a long list of post-season awards from the American Southwest Conference, it was released today.
Junior forward Drew Mott was named the co-Offensive Player of the Year and Midfielder of the Year. He also earned All-ASC First Team. Sophomore defender Kyle Seymour was named the Tri-Defensive Player of the Year and made the All-ASC First Team. Senior goalkeeper Logan Valestin was the ASC Goalkeeper of the Year and made the All-ASC First Team. Freshman defender Colin Cosby was named the Defensive Freshman of the Year. Aaron Brueckner was named ASC Coach of the Year. Other players included on the All-ASC First Team included junior defender Jonathan Julmiste, sophomore forward Charleus Emmanuel Ritch, junior defender Truman Hensley, junior forward Lorfils Milord and sophomore midfielder Alain Claude.
Mott, a native of Arlington, Texas, ranked among the ASC's top-5 in nearly every offensive category. He led the league in game-winning goals with three. He was third in goals with five, third in assists with two and fourth in points with 12. He ranked sixth in the ASC in shots with 23. He had a two-goal performance against Belhaven and had a goal and assist in a playoff win against Hardin-Simmons. He was named ASC Player of the Week once during the season. He was named the ASC Tournament MVP and made the All-Tournament Team. An All-Region player, he has 15 career goals.
Seymour, a native of New Lenox, Illinois, was among the most impactful players in the ASC. Seymour was not only a standout defensive player, but also produced two goals, including the overtime game-winner against Hendrix College. Seymour guided the Eagles to four shutouts and behind his play in the back, the Eagles never gave up more than two goals during the season. The Eagles owned a 0.89 goals against average, second lowest in the ASC. Seymour made the All-Tournament Team.
Valestin, a native of Bryant, produced another outstanding year in goal for the Eagles. The four-year starter ranked fourth in the ASC in goals against average (0.94). He collected 22 saves in 12 starts. Valestin posted five wins and recorded three shutouts. In the playoffs, he had back-to-back five save outings to help the Eagles into the championship match. Valestin made two big saves in the overtime penalty kick shootout of their quarterfinal match against Mary Hardin-Baylor. Valestin ends his career as a three-time All-Conference player. At Ozarks, he ranks fourth in career saves (261), third in shutouts (16), third in wins (29), third in goals against average (1.18) and third in minutes played (5938).
Cosby, a native of Broken Arrow, Okla., started in ten matches. Cosby help limit the Eagles' opponents to 11 total goals. Cosby was a key in the Eagles' defensive efforts that recorded four shutouts. Behind Cosby's play, the Eagles allowed only 38 shots on frame in conference matches.
Julmiste, a native of Haiti, provided a big presence in the back for the Eagles. With Julmiste's outstanding defensive play, the Eagles recorded three shutouts in six conference matches. Julmiste helped the Eagles limited their opponents to only four goals in regular season conference matches. Julmiste helped the Eagles rank second in the ASC in goals against average (0.89). He was named ASC Player of the Week once during the season.
Ritch, a native of Haiti, created scoring opportunities for the Eagles throughout the season. He ranked fourth in the ASC in shots with 25. He scored two goals and recorded one assist to finish with five points, fourth most on the team. He had the game-winning goal against East Texas Baptist. He connected on his one penalty kick attempt of the season. His 25 shots led the team.
Hensley, a native of Montgomery, Texas, continued his steady presence in the back helping the Eagles clinch the ASC title. Hensley started in ten matches and marked the opponent's toughest players. Hensley helped the Eagles limit conference opponents to a combined 75 shots. He kept opponents out of the net through his defensive prowess and he recorded two assists.
Milord, a native of Haiti, was among the most dangerous players in the conference. Milord ranked third in the ASC in assists with two. He scored two goals for six points, third most on the team. He took 15 shots and had eight shots on frame, resulting in a .533 shots on goal percentage. Milord had four shots against LeTourneau and scored a goal in the ASC championship match. He made the All-Tournament Team.
Claude, a native of Haiti, was a threat all over the pitch as he ranked sixth in the ASC in points with eight. He ranked fourth in the league in goals with four. A starter in all 12 matches, he had ten shots with six on frame. Claude posted two game-winning goals, including the game-winning goal in the ASC Championship match. He scored twice in the playoffs. He took four shots against Louisiana College. He was named ASC Player of the Week once during the season. He made the All-Tournament Team.
Under head coach Aaron Brueckner, the Eagles won the ASC Tournament for the first time since 2003. Brueckner, in his fifth season at Ozarks, guided the Eagles to a 7-4-1 final record and a second-place finish in the East Division. His team lost once in the final eight matches of the season. Brueckner's team finished among the ASC's top-5 in shots, goals, points and assists. Defensively, the Eagles never allowed more than two goals in a match and posted three shutouts in their six conference matches. His team ranked second in the league in goals against average (0.89). His team won nearly every individual conference post-season award following the 2020-21 season and he had eight players on the All-ASC First Team. Brueckner has guided the Eagles into the playoffs in each of his five seasons.
