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2009 OUA West awards and all-stars announced
HAMILTON, Ont. - The York Lions may be out of the championship
race, but they're definitely still a powerhouse as Ontario
University Athletics (OUA) announces the 2009 men's soccer West
major award winners and all-stars.
York's fourth-year midfielder Francesco Bruno (Toronto) receives
most valuable player honours for the second-straight year. The
three-time all-star tallied eight goals this season, tying him for
first in OUA scoring.
The T. Litzen Sports West rookie of the year is Robbie Murphy
(Ottawa) of the Guelph Gryphons. The first-year striker led the
Gryphons in scoring with five goals in 12 games, making him one of
the highest-scoring rookies of the 2009-10 season.
Murphy's teammate Frankie Luzi (Guelph, Ont.) receives the
community service award in recognition of his involvement within
the school and his community. Luzi has been extremely involved with
schools in the Guelph, Ont. area, speaking to classes about
balancing academics and extracurricular activities. During the
season, he volunteers every day at Mary Phelan School. He works
with the students in the gym during their physical education period
and he also helps in the classroom. Luzi also volunteers as a
lector at his church every Sunday morning, and is the assistant
coach for the under 10 girls rep team.
Despite a disappointing overtime loss in the quarterfinals this
past weekend, Windsor Lancers head coach Steve Hart is recognized
as the West coach of the year. In his fourth year as head coach,
Hart led the team to their best finish since 1993 with an 8-1-5
record this season. The Lancers were also ranked as high as No. 9
in the nation.
The 2009 West first-team all-stars are loaded with Lions, as York
racked up four all-star nods. Joining Bruno on the list are
goalkeeper Alim Karim (Scarborough, Ont.), defender Franco Ruscetta
(Woodbridge, Ont.) and midfielder Phil Rivers (Woodbridge,
Ont.).
Guelph manages to slide two Gryphons in among the Lions' den, as
Murphy is named a first-team all-star for the first time.
Fourth-year defender Ben Ragan (Rockwood, Ont.) is a three-time
all-star, but makes his debut with the first-team.
Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks midfielder Alex Doma (Burlington,
Ont.), who scored a team-leading three goals in 13 games, is an
all-star for the third time, while teammate Chris Walker
(Mississauga, Ont.) is recognized for the first time.
Rounding out the list is Western Mustangs defender Mark Bennett
(Brantford, Ont.), Waterloo Warriors midfielder Chris Lam (Guelph,
Ont.) and Windsor striker Michael Watson (Belle River, Ont.). Lam
played in all 14 games this season and led the Warriors in scoring
with five goals, while Watson netted a team-high six goals in 13
games.
The McMaster Marauders have a pair of second-team all-stars, as
second-year defender Garret McConville (Ottawa) and fourth-year
midfielder Kyle Grootenboer (Brantford, Ont.) both make their first
all-star appearance.
The second-team striker positions are monopolized by Western this
year, as fourth-year forward Marc Pocrnic (London, Ont.) and
midfielder Eric Amato (Toronto) earn their first all-star nods.
Pocrnic tallied a team-high four goals in the regular season, while
Amato netted two. Rookie midfielder Camilo Gonzalez is also a West
second-team all-star.
Waterloo has second-team all-star representation from fourth-year
fullback Raphael Goldemann (Waterloo, Ont.) and second-year
midfielder Mohamad Aborig (Tripoli, Libya), who scored three goals
in 10 games. Both players are making their second appearance on the
second team.
The Guelph Gryphons offence and defence gets some recognition on
the second-team, as defender Ignacio Lagos (Windsor, Ont.) and
midfielder Stephen Johnstone (Ottawa) are honoured. Johnstone is
appearing as an all-star for the second time, while Lagos is on the
list for the first time in his three-year OUA career.
Rounding out the second-team are Windsor first-year defender Arlo
Hemkes (Arnhem, Netherlands) and Laurier goalkeeper Jarrett
Humphreys (Waterloo, Ont.).
2009 OUA WEST
MEN'S SOCCER MAJOR AWARD WINNERS AND ALL-STARS
Most Valuable Player - Francesco Bruno (York)
Rookie of the Year - Robbie Murphy (Guelph)
Community Service - Frankie Luzi (Guelph)
Coach of the Year - Steve Hart (Windsor)
FIRST TEAM ALL-STARS
Goalkeeper - Alim Karim (Scarborough, Ont.) - York
Defender - Mark Bennett (Brantford, Ont.) - Western
Defender - Ben Ragan (Rockwood, Ont.) - Guelph
Defender - Franco Ruscetta (Woodbridge, Ont.) - York
Defender - Chris Walker (Mississauga, Ont.) - Laurier
Midfielder - Francesco Bruno (Toronto) - York
Midfielder - Alex Doma (Burlington, Ont.) - Laurier
Midfielder - Chris Lam (Guelph, Ont.) - Waterloo
Midfielder - Phil Rivers (Woodbridge, Ont.) - York
Striker - Robbie Murphy (Ottawa) - Guelph
Striker - Michael Watson (Belle River, Ont.) - Windsor
SECOND TEAM ALL-STARS
Goalkeeper - Jarrett Humphreys (Waterloo, Ont.) - Laurier
Defender - Raphael Goldemann (Waterloo, Ont.) - Waterloo
Defender - Arlo Hemkes (Arnhem, Netherlands) - Windsor
Defender - Ignacio Lagos (Windsor, Ont.) - Guelph
Defender - Garret McConville (Ottawa) - McMaster
Midfielder - Mohammad Aborig (Tripoli, Libya) - Waterloo
Midfielder - Camilo Gonzalez (London, Ont.) - Western
Midfielder - Kyle Grootenboer (Brantford, Ont.) - McMaster
Midfielder - Steve Johnstone (Ottawa) - Guelph
Striker - Eric Amato (Toronto) - Western
Striker - Marc Pocrnic (London, Ont.) - Western
– OUA –
