LAKEPOINT, Ga. – Following another regular season in which it finished in the top-2 in the ASUN Conference standings, the FGCU men’s soccer team had a program-record 10 players named to ASUN postseason teams on Wednesday, highlighted by Nicolas Samayoa being named the unanimous ASUN Defensive Player of the Year.

 

Samayoa becomes the third FGCU member to win ASUN Defensive Player of the Year, joining Aaron Guillen in 2015 and Adam Glick in 2010. Additionally, it marks the third-straight year that an Eagle has won either the ASUN Player of the Year or ASUN Defensive Player of the Year.

 

Reigning ASUN Player of the Year Albert Ruiz joined Samayoa on the ASUN First Team, in addition to fellow forward Shak Adams.

 

The FGCU selections to the ASUN Second Team included: Preston Kilwien, Robert Ferrer, Dennis Zapata and Dylan Sacramento.

 

Finally, FGCU had three picks to the ASUN All-Freshman Team: Connor Gavigan, Kareem Riley and Chris Clement. The three nods continue an incredible stretch for FGCU in which the Green and Blue have produced at least two All-Freshman performers in all 11 years of the program’s existence.

 

In total, the 10 selections are the most in FGCU history, surpassing the previous record of nine set in each of the previous two seasons. The Eagles had four more all-conference members than any other school (Lipscomb, NJIT: six each), and the three First Team players are tied with Stetson and Lipscomb for the most in the league.

 

In a further testament to the Eagles recruiting and developing young talent, no other team in the ASUN has even produced two or more All-Freshman Team members each of the last three seasons, but FGCU has done it continuously for more than a decade.

 

“Individually, each of those 10 guys have had tremendous seasons and I’m extremely proud of them and they’re well-deserved honors,” commented first-year FGCU head coach Jesse Cormier. “But while they’re individual awards, they’re also a complement to our entire team. It says a lot about our culture and how these guys compete, train and prepare collectively. Everyone is challenging each other on a daily basis and bringing the best out in each other.

 

“Nico (Samayoa) has had a special season, and not just as a center back; he’s been a great leader,” added Cormier of his ASUN Defensive Player of the Year. “When guys were struggling to get back into form this year from injuries, he’s been there to help since day 1. He had a great summer, came into training camp in terrific form and really put this team on his back, and I think the coaches around the conference recognized that. He’s a terrific player and person.”

 

Below are snapshots of each of FGCU’s all-conference winners, with additional information about the upcoming ASUN Tournament.

 

5 Samayoa (Guatemala City, Guatemala/Colegio Valle Verde)

After being named to the ASUN Second Team as a sophomore, Samayoa has now landed on the ASUN First Team each of the past two seasons. Along with Ruiz and Sacramento this year, Samayoa joins them in becoming just the 3rd, 4th and 5th FGCU players in program history to be three-time ASUN all-conference selections (First or Second Team), along with Guillen (2013-15) and Cristian Raudales (2009-11).

 

Samayoa has logged the 2nd-most minutes on the Eagles with 1,340 – one of just two members of the Green and Blue to play at least 1,200 this year. He has started all 14 matches he’s appeared in, and has played a vital role in seven FGCU shutouts this season. After scoring just three total goals through his first three years, Samayoa has tallied three goals this year alone, in addition to issuing an assist for seven points.

 

11 Ruiz (Barcelona, Spain/ CE L’Hospitalet/UE Cornella)

An ASUN All-Freshman Team member in 2014, Ruiz has been an ASUN First Team selection each of the past three years. He joins current FC Dallas defender Guillen as the only two players in program history to be three-time members of the First Team.

 

After missing the first eight games of the campaign recovering from an injury, last year’s nation-leading scorer returned to the FGCU lineup in early October and immediately made an impact. The senior scored just 14 minutes into his season debut, and over the final eight games of the year he totaled nine points off four goals and an assist. The nine points – which came in just 352 minutes of action – are, incredibly, tied for the 12th-most in the ASUN.

 

17 Adams (Antioch, Tenn./Cane Ridge HS)

The sophomore posted a brilliant second campaign in the Green and Blue as he leads the Eagles in goals with seven and points with 16 – three more goals and points by any other player on the roster. Adams ranks tied for 3rd in the ASUN in goals and is in sole possession of 3rd place for points.

 

Adams – an ASUN All-Freshman Team selection last year – came on strong during the second half of the year as nine of his points have occurred in the last six games. He’s posted multiple points in four of those six contests. His lone game-winning goal of the year came in the ASUN opener versus Jacksonville – a 1-0 FGCU triumph. Adams has played all 16 matches this year, making 15 starts.

 

23 Kilwien (San Francisco, Calif./College Park HS)

The only player on the FGCU roster to start all 16 games this year, Kilwien secures his second career ASUN selection after being named to the ASUN All-Freshman Team in 2015. Kilwien has logged the most minutes on the team with 1,434 – nearly 100 more than Samayoa – all mostly out of his left back position. The set-piece specialist has scored three goals – one game-winner – and added an assist this year for seven points.

 

8 Ferrer (Barcelona, Spain/Brevard College/IES Calamot)

Ferrer garners his first ASUN all-conference award after joining the Eagles as a sophomore. The midfielder has scored four goals this season, and three of those have been game-winners – tied for the 2nd-most in the league. Ferrer has also added three points to rank as one of three FGCU double-figure point men with 11. That total ranks tied for the 7th-most in the ASUN.

 

10 Zapata (Orlando, Fla./University HS)

Despite missing four games in September with an injury, Zapata still finished the regular season with the 2nd-most points on the Eagles with 13 off four goals and five assists. The baker’s dozen of points rank 5th in the ASUN, while the quintet of helpers are tied for the 2nd-most. Zapata has started all 12 games he’s appeared in, and the midfielder’s four goals came off just nine shots on goal.

 

9 Sacramento (Winnipeg, Manitoba/York University/Bill Crothers S.S.)

After transferring to FGCU for his sophomore year, Sacramento lands on the ASUN Second Team for the third-straight year. The forward has tallied two goals and passed out four assists for eight points – the 5th-most on the team. Sacramento has played in all but one game this year, making 13 starts.

 

29 Gavigan (Aurora, Colo./Creighton/Grandview HS)

The redshirt freshman ranks 2nd in the ASUN with a 1.18 goals-against average, is 3rd in the league in save percentage at .770 and has secured five solo shutouts – tied for the 2nd-most in the conference – and has been part of another clean sheet (played one half). Six of FGCU’s eight wins this year have come in games Gavigan has started. In ASUN contests this year, Gavigan boasted a 0.61 goals-against average and had three shutouts – representing nearly one-third of the 10 clean sheets recorded by all keepers in league action.

 

15 Riley (Couva, Trinidad and Tobago/Presentation College)

Riley got to campus just days before the season opener due to a Visa issue, but after acclimating himself to the Green and Blue, the big, physical midfielder has become a mainstay in the FGCU lineup. Riley scored one goal – a highlight-reel shot which checked in as SportsCenter’s No. 3 play on Oct. 10 – and added an assist for three points. Making his first career start on Sept. 19, Riley played all 90 or 110 minutes in seven of the season’s final nine games.

 

2 Clement (Mallorca, Spain/Lycee Francais de Palma)

The freshman has logged the 4th-most minutes on the team with 1,191 – the only FGCU first-year field player to play at least 1,000 minutes. The right back has served an integral role in seven FGCU shutouts on the year. Clement – who has started all 14 games he’s appeared in – has also pushed forward to aid in the FGCU attack often, scoring one goal and adding three assists for five points.

 

ASUN Tournament Information

FGCU will now turn its focus to the ASUN Tournament. The 2nd-seeded Eagles (8-5-3) have a bye into the semifinals, which they will host on Sunday, Nov. 5, at 1 p.m. FGCU will also host an opening-round matchup between No. 3 NJIT (8-7-3, 3-2-1 ASUN) and No. 6 Lipscomb (9-7-1, 2-4-0 ASUN) on Friday, Nov. 3, at 5 p.m.. The Green and Blue will play the winner of that contest in the semifinals.

 

Top-seeded Stetson (7-6-2, 4-0-2 ASUN) will host the other semifinal on Nov. 5 as the Hatters will take on the winner of No. 4 North Florida (3-9-2, 2-3-1 ASUN) and No. 5 Jacksonville (4-9-1, 2-3-1 ASUN) which will be contested on Nov. 3.

 

The highest remaining seed after the two semifinals will host the final on Saturday, Nov. 11. Additional information regarding the ASUN Men’s Soccer Championship can be found by logging on to ASUNSports.org.

 

IRMA RELIEF DONATIONS

In the wake of Hurricane Irma, many individuals and families throughout Southwest Florida are still in desperate need of assistance. To aid in those relief efforts, FGCU Athletics will be collecting donations at all Eagle home games for the immediate future. Donation items most needed include: non-perishable food, clothing, household items and first-aid supplies. Additionally, those unable to attend upcoming home games can drop off donations in canisters located in the Alico Arena lobby. All donations will be given to those hardest hit in Lee and Collier counties.

 

FOLLOW ALONG

For up-to-the minute information and a behind-the-scenes look at the FGCU men’s soccer program, follow on Twitter @FGCU_MSoccer, Instagram @FGCU_MSoccer, Facebook /FGCUMSoccer and YouTube /FGCUAthletics.

 

HEAD COACH JESSE CORMIER

Jesse Cormier was hired in January 2017 to become just the 2nd head coach in program history. The head coach at Vermont for the previous 13 seasons, Cormier won 14 games with the Catamounts in 2016 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Second Round. During his time with Vermont, Cormier guided the program to the America East Tournament in 12 of 13 seasons, making five title game appearances, winning two tournament crowns, claiming a regular-season championship and advancing to three NCAA tournaments, including a pair of Second Round appearances. Cormier has a 122-94-50 (.553 winning percentage) overall record as a head coach.

 

SUPPORT THE CAUSE

FGCU Athletics sponsors events throughout the year to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics’ charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.