Messiah's All-Time National Player of the Year HonorsKansas City, MO – The National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) recognized Messiah senior
Jeremy Payne in an outstanding way this week, as he was named the 2014 National Player of the Year.
The award for Payne is the second of his career, making him the only repeat honoree for NCAA Division III men since the award was started in 1996. The Player of the Year award is also the eighth in 13 seasons for Messiah men's soccer.
"In order for someone to get an acknowledgement like Player of the Year, there has to be an element of tradition, where there has been success with the team and that individual over time," Messiah head coach
Brad McCarty said. "Both those come into play with this award, and Jeremy is deserving because he's been at a consistent, high-level both this season and for a number of years."
Payne led the Falcons this season with career-high totals in goals (21) and points (52). He also tied his career-high with 10 assists, good for third on the team. In impressive fashion, Payne's 21 goals were four more than his previous high (set in both 2012 and 2013) and accomplished on just 87 shots—11 less than he took last season. Seven of his tallies were game-winners this season, and this year he was named the Commonwealth Offensive Player of the Year for the third time in as many years.
On a national level, Payne was fifth in total goals, seventh in total points, 29th in total assists, and first in game-winners.
"What made Jeremy a great player wasn't just his ability to score," McCarty said, commenting on Payne's skills on the field. "What made him great was his size, strength, and speed, and his ability to keep the ball. It was his ability to help us possess and win the territory battle, and to handle a variety of balls that came to him whether on the ground or in the air. That's what made him stand out."
In addition to the Player of the Year honor, Payne was elected First Team All-American for the third-straight season. With the honor he joined Kai Kasiguran as the only Messiah men's soccer player to receive three All-American honors across a single career, though Payne becomes the first-ever player to receive three First Team honors.*
Payne's first National Player of the Year honor came in 2012, when he helped the Falcons to the National Championship and finished with 17 goals, 10 assists, and 44 points.
"Him being named Player of the Year as a sophomore was both a blessing and curse," McCarty said. "It's a brutal burden to carry because in the back of your mind you're thinking you're being evaluated against that award. That's a hard thing, and I think it was hard for him as a junior.
"But he handled it with humility, and also a steely determination. He was focused on playing at a high level, and he came to practices and games ready to play at a high level. To be able to circle back around and garner this award again as a senior is impressive."
Payne completed his career with 61 goals, 31 assists, and 153 points, good for fourth, fifth, and fifth all-time in program history, respectively. His 52 points this season is also tied for the sixth-best total in a single season. Across his four seasons Payne and his classmates also collected an astounding 86-3-5 (.941) record, including National Championships in 2012 and 2013.
*Kasiguran remains the only player in program history to win four All-American awards.
