Clarksville, Ark.- Seven University of the Ozarks men's soccer players were honored by the American Southwest Conference (ASC) following the 2002 season, it was announced by the conference office.
The Eagles had both the Defensive and Offensive Freshman of the Year. Nathan Wagner earned Defensive Freshman of the Year, while Francisco Horta earned Offensive Freshman of the Year. Senior defender Alain Claude and senior forward Charleus Emmanuel Ritch were named All-ASC First Team. Junior forward Kyle Seymour, Horta and Wagner were named to the All-ASC Second Team. Sophomore defender Brock Bernard and sophomore midfielder Luke Clingerman were named to the All-ASC Third Team.
Wagner, a native of Midlothian, Texas, had an impact defensively and offensively for the Eagles. Wagner started in 19 games and scored two goals while recording two assists. He took 20 shots with ten of those on frame. He scored the game-winning goal against East Texas Baptist. He had three shots against two different opponents. Wagner's play in the back fueled the Eagles to a postseason appearance.
Horta, a native of Garland, Texas, ranked among the ASC's top-10 in shots (51), shots on goal (29), goals (8) and points (16). He led the league in game-winning goals with five. He also contributed two assists in 19 games. He had a goal, an assist and five shots against Hendrix. The dynamic freshman created four shots against three different opponents. Five of his goals came in conference games.
Claude, a native of Petion Ville, Haiti, played in all 20 games with 19 starts. He scored two goals and had one assist while taking 13 shots. He took a pair of shots against three different opponents. Behind his strong defensive play in the back, the Eagles posted four shutouts. He has nine career goals in 64 career games. He ends his career as a four-time All-Conference player.
Ritch, a native of Carrefour, Haiti, ranked second in the ASC in goals with ten and points with 24. Ritch was the team leader in goals and points and ranked second in assists (4) and game-winning goals (3). He was third in shots (30). His three game-winning goals came within the first three matches and all ten of his goals came against ten different opponents. He had a goal and an assist to go along with four shots against Millsaps. He was named ASC Offensive Player of the Week twice during the season. He is a three-time All-Conference player. He is ranked third at Ozarks in career game-winning goals (10), seventh in career goals (22) and seventh in career shots (140).
Seymour, a native of New Lenox, Ill., started in all 20 games for the Eagles leading the team in assists with seven and shots with 45. He scored two goals. His seven assists ranked second in the ASC. His 11 points was third on the team. He had six shots against Mississippi University for Women and seven shots against Huntingdon.
Bernard, a native of Rockwall, Texas, started in 19 games and steadied the defense to four shutouts during the season. Bernard's backline defensive effort helped the Eagles to a seven-match unbeaten streak to start the season. Bernard is a two-time All-Conference player.
Clingerman, a native of Broken Arrow, Okla., started in 16 games and played in 18. He took 29 shots on the season and scored one goal. He recorded four shots against two different opponents.
The Eagles advanced to the ASC playoffs for the 20th time in program history.
