ANNVILLE, Pa. – The Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth released today the 2017 all-conference teams for men's soccer, and Messiah was decorated with 11 different honors, including the Offensive Player of the Year (
Kirby Robbins), Defensive Player of the Year (
Dakota Rosenberg), and Coach of the Year (
Brad McCarty).
Six different Falcons were named to the First Team: Robbins, Rosenberg,
Colby Thomas,
Nick West,
Danny Brandt, and
Connor Bell. Three Falcons were named Second Team—
Samuel Ruiz Plaza,
Shay Quintin, and
Cooper Robbins—and
Josh Bender was named Honorable Mention. The 10 players honors ties program record from 2006.
Special Distinction
Kirby Robbins' Offensive Player of the Year award is the second-straight for the Falcons after Jacob Bender's honor in 2015. Robbins leads the Falcons in goals (12) and points (29), and his five game-winners are tied with
Colby Thomas for the team lead. Six of his goals have come against conference opponents, including both tallies in Messiah's come-from-behind win over Lebanon Valley on Homecoming Day.
Dakota Rosenberg is the third Defensive Player of the Year for Messiah since the "Player of the Year" award was split into offensive and defensive categories in 2013. He is the sixth defender in program history to earn a Player of the Year honor of any kind, and his recognition comes by way of his leadership of Messiah's nationally-ranked back line. The Falcons are ranked No. 11 in goal against average (0.459) and their eighth goals allowed is tied with Lycoming for the fewest in the conference.
Brad McCarty, who has led the Falcons to a 17-1 overall record and top seed in the MAC Commonwealth Tournament, picked up the Coach of the Year award for the fourth time in his nine years as head coach. The honor is also his second in as many seasons.
A Force Up Front
Kirby Robbins,
Colby Thomas (7g, 9a), and
Nick West (9g, 4a) are first, second, and third in the conference in total points with 29, 23, and 22, respectively. The three-headed monster helped Messiah go 8-0 in the conference with a league-best 2.00 goals per game margin. As mentioned, Thomas is tied with Robbins for the team lead in game-winners, with West just behind them with four winners of his own.
Midfielders
Danny Brandt and
Samuel Ruiz Plaza are also key cogs in the Messiah motor, with Brandt (4g, 5a) fourth on the team in points and Ruiz Plaza one of the best two-way players in the region.
Coverage in the Back
Messiah's entire starting defensive unit—starting with keeper
Connor Bell and moving forward—was honored because of their ability to dominate games from start to finish. The Falcons display speed and field coverage, especially with Rosenberg and
Shay Quintin able to wrestle and grab possession from the opposition, and they bring size and technical skill with Rosenberg,
Cooper Robbins, and
Josh Bender all effective on the ground and in the air.
In frame
Connor Bell is No. 11 in the nation with a 0.482 goals against average, and he's No. 19 with a 0.864 save percentage. Messiah has combined to allow more than five shots on goal to just four opponents all season, including just two conference opponents (Lycoming, Lebanon Valley).
A complete listing of the All-MAC Commonwealth honors is below:
| Offensive Player of the Year: Kirby Robbins (Sr.), Messiah |
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| Defensive Player of the Year: Dakota Rosenberg (Sr.), Messiah |
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| Rookie of the Year: Tariq Lee (Fr.), Stevenson |
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| Coach of the Year: Brad McCarty, Messiah |
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| First Team All-MAC Commonwealth |
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| Forward |
Kirby Robbins |
Messiah |
Senior |
| Forward |
Colby Thomas |
Messiah |
Senior |
| Forward |
Nick West |
Messiah |
Junior |
| Midfielder |
Abdullahi Abdi |
Lycoming |
Senior |
| Midfielder |
Danny Brandt |
Messiah |
Junior |
| Midfielder |
Jake Kline |
Lebanon Valley |
Junior |
| Midfielder |
Jordan Logan |
Lycoming |
Senior |
| Defender |
Dakota Rosenberg |
Messiah |
Senior |
| Defender |
Kyle Thomas |
Lycoming |
Senior |
| Defender |
Sainclair Tueno |
Lycoming |
Junior |
| Goalie |
Connor Bell |
Messiah |
Junior |
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| Second Team All-MAC Commonwealth |
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| Forward |
Ryan Hammer |
Arcadia |
Junior |
| Forward |
Bradley McKim |
Arcadia |
Senior |
| Forward |
Tariq Lee |
Stevenson |
Freshman |
| Forward |
Tyler Skye |
Lebanon Valley |
Senior |
| Midfielder |
Kyle McQuillen |
Hood |
Freshman |
| Midfielder |
Jay Ringer |
Alvernia |
Junior |
| Midfielder |
Samuel Ruiz Plaza |
Messiah |
Junior |
| Midfielder |
Raine Slovak |
Alvernia |
Freshman |
| Defender |
Riley Katshir |
Lebanon Valley |
Junior |
| Defender |
Shay Quintin |
Messiah |
Sophomore |
| Defender |
Cooper Robbins |
Messiah |
Sophomore |
| Goalie |
Cam Avery |
Lebanon Valley |
Senior |
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| Honorable Mention All-MAC Commonwealth |
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| Forward |
Kenton Onspaugh |
Hood |
Senior |
| Midfielder |
Kurtis Rineer |
Lebanon Valley |
Freshman |
| Midfielder |
Kyle Stettenbauer |
Lycoming |
Senior |
| Defender |
Josh Bender |
Messiah |
Senior |
| Goalie |
Zach Rider |
Alvernia |
Senior |
| Goalie |
Chris Solecki |
Lycoming |
Junior |
