Pike Named GNAC Defensive Player of the Year

STANDISH, ME - The 2009 Men's Soccer All-GNAC teams were announced today and the Conference Champion Monks were well-represented.

Eight different Saint Joseph's players collected honors and one, keeper Will Pike '10 (Gorham, ME), received a yearly award. Pike was named 2009 GNAC Defensive Player of the Year after leading the conference in virtually all goalkeeping categories and breaking more than his share of SJC program records en route.

Pike, Andre Cushing '10 (Hampden, ME) and Greg Cavanaugh '10 (Haverhill, MA) garnered First Team honors, Doug MacCallum '10 (Hingham, MA) and Paul Robins '11 (Cornwall, England) were voted to the Second Team, and Michael Sanfilippo '12 (Walpole, MA) and Tim Davison '12 (Danvers, MA) were listed on the Third Team. Jesse West '12 (Enosburg Falls, VT) was selected as the Monks' Sportsmanship Team recipient by a team vote.

For Pike, the First Team honor is his second. The 2009 Tournament MVP leads the GNAC in goals against average (0.82), save percentage (.860) and shutouts (11) and currently owns eight different SJC program career and single-season records.

For Cushing, the postseason accolade is the first of his career. The senior midfielder tallied two goals, four assists and eight points, but in many ways his contribution cannot be determined by his stat line. Cushing is an essential player for the Monks in transition and his high soccer IQ is evident when watching the veteran on the field.

Cavanaugh, a Third Team All-Conference selection last fall, is the heart of the Monks' stout defense, which led the league in fewest goals allowed (18) and goals-against average (0.88) through November 2^nd. His athleticism and communication as a middle back have been key ingredients in the SJC winning recipe.

MacCallum and Robins are both repeat Second Team honorees, as the duo collected the same honor following the 2008 campaign. MacCallum, the program's career leader in goals (38) and points (87), leads the GNAC in game-winning goals (7) and ranks as the Monks' leader in goals (12) and points (27). Robins, whose ball skills separate him from most players in the area, posted another solid year while roaming the midfield, with 4 goals, 4 assists and 12 points.

The postseason honors for Sanfilippo and Davison are career-firsts for both players. Sanfilippo netted a pair of goals as a force in the heart of the field and Davison, one of the more athletic backs in the GNAC, contributed with a pair of assists as a sophomore.

Saint Joseph's will play at Wesleyan (CT) on Saturday, November 14^th in the opening round of the NCAA DIII Tournament. Start time is TBA.

ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMS

Will Pike '10 First Team Defensive POY	Greg Cavanaugh '10 First Team	Andre Cushing '10 First Team	Doug MacCallum '10 First Team
Paul Robins '11 Second Team	Michael Sanfilippo '12 Third Team	Tim Davison '12 Third Team	Jesse West '12 Sportsmanship