2010 OUA East men's soccer awards and all-stars announced

HAMILTON, Ont. – The Toronto Varsity Blues and the Ryerson Rams top the list of major awards and All-Star winners for the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) 2010 men's soccer season.

The men's East most valuable player award goes to Darragh McGee (Donegal, Ireland) of the Toronto Varsity Blues. McGee won the award in only his second year with the Blues. The second-year defender scored five goals this season which earned him the MVP honours and a place on the First-Team All-Star list.

The T. Litizen rookie of the year award was won by McGee's teammate, Ezequiel Lubocki (Winnipeg, Man.). The rookie midfielder was a regular starter for the strong Blues squad and helped lead them to a first place finish in the East. Lubocki was named a First-Team All-Star for his breakout season.

Coach of the Year is awarded to the Ryerson Rams for the first time in program history. Athletic director and Rams men's soccer head coach Dr. Ivan Joseph took home the hardware. Last year, Joseph led the Rams to their first winning season since joining OUA in 1986. He is also a former three-time Coach of the Year in the Heart of America Athletic Conference when he coached for Graceland University down south and led his Graceland teams to three conference championships. His work this year is proven through Ryerson's first berth in OUA Final Four Championships in program history.

The community service award goes to Lawrence Buchan (Port Moody, B.C.) of the Toronto Varsity Blues. The recipient of this award goes to a player who has been involved within his school as well as his community. This mechanical engineering major has served as a staff coach for Camp U of T that requires him to work with young players in the Toronto community. The third-year midfielder also organized and ran the annual high school tournament each year since he's been a Varsity Blue.

Joining McGee and Lubocki on the First-Team All-Star list are two strikers. Nordon Gooden (Toronto, Ont.) scored six goals this season for the Blues and was formerly named a Second-Team All-Star. Teammate Alexander Raphael (East York, Ont.) was named a First-Team All-Star for a second year in a row for his eight goal performance this season, good for fifth place in Ontario. Goalkeeper John Smits (Mississauga, Ont.) earns Second-Team All-Star honours for a second time for his play in net. Midfielder Dylan Bam (Fanny Bay, B.C.) was also named to the Second-Team All-Star list for the Blues.

The Ryerson Rams have recorded the most All-Stars in one season in program history. Defender Markus Molder (Toronto, Ont.) was named a First-Team All-Star for his defensive play in the backfield. Midfielder and 2009 MVP Alex Braletic (Thornhill, Ont.) was named a First-Team All-Star for the second consecutive year as well. Making the Second-Team All-Star list includes defender Jacob O'Connor (Ottawa, Ont.), midfielder Kevin Souter (Portsoy, Scotland) and forward Viktor Anastasov (Toronto, Ont.). Anastasov led the Rams in goals, tallying five on the season in his rookie year.

Fifth-year goalkeeper for the Carleton Ravens was named to the First-Team All-Star list for the third time in his career. Karl Wasslen (Ottawa, Ont.) recorded 12 shutouts this season for the Ravens. Joining Wasslen on the list is defender Nick Persichino (Thunder Bay, Ont.) and midfielders Joey Kewin (London, Ont.) and Sam McHugh (Russell, Ont.).

The Queen's Gaels boast 2010 First-Team All-Star Mike Arnold (London, Ont.). The fourth-year led the East Division in scoring this year with nine goals, good for third in the league. Defenders Andrew Nador (Kingston, Ont.) and rookie Joseph Zupo (Toronto) were named Second-Team All-Stars.

The Laurentian Voyageurs also named three players to East All-Star teams. Defender Cameron Brooks (Whitby, Ont.) was named a First-Team All-Star in his rookie season. For the Second-Team All-Stars, forward Davor Alisic (Charlottetown, P.E.I.) led the team in scoring with four goals and Trevor Beange (Sudbury, Ont.) was also on the list.

Rookie defender Chris Bascelli (Ottawa, Ont.) was the lone representative for the Trent Excalibur on the Second-Team All-Star list.

OUA ALL-STARS AND MAJOR AWARD WINNERS

Most Valuable Player: Darragh McGee (Toronto)

T Litzen Rookie of the Year: Ezequiel Lubocki (Toronto)

Coach of the Year: Ivan Joseph (Ryerson)

Community Service: Lawrence Buchan (Toronto)

FIRST-TEAM ALL-STARS

Goalkeeper: Karl Wasslen (Ottawa, Ont.) – Carleton
Defender: Cameron Brooks (Whitby, Ont.) – Laurentian
Defender: Nick Persichino (Thunder Bay, Ont.) – Carleton
Defender: Darragh McGee (Donegal, Ireland) – Toronto
Defender: Markus Molder (Toronto, Ont.) – Ryerson
Midfielder: Joey Kewin (London, Ont.) – Carleton
Midfielder: Ezequiel Lubocki (Winnipeg, Man.) – Toronto
Midfielder: Mike Arnold (London, Ont.) – Queen's
Midfielder: Alex Braletic (Thornhill, Ont.) – Ryerson
Forward: Nordo Gooden (Toronto, Ont.) – Toronto
Forward: Alexander Raphael (East York, Ont.) – Toronto

SECOND-TEAM ALL-STARS

Goalkeeper: John Smits (Mississauga, Ont.) - Toronto
Defender: Chris Bascelli (Ottawa, Ont.) – Trent
Defender: Andrew Nador (Kingston, Ont.) – Queen's
Defender: Joseph Zupo (Toronto, Ont.) – Queen's
Defender: Jacob O'Connor (Ottawa, Ont.) - Ryerson
Midfielder: Trevor Beange (Sudbury, Ont.) - Laurentian
Midfielder: Sam McHugh (Russell, Ont.) - Carleton
Midfielder: Dylan Bam (Fanny Bay, B.C.) - Toronto
Midfielder: Kevin Souter (Portsoy, Scotland) - Ryerson
Forward: Davor Alisic (Charlottetown, P.E.I.) - Laurentian
Forward: Viktor Anastasov (Toronto, Ont.) – Ryerson

-OUA-