BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh junior forward Mark Forrest was named the Offensive Player of the Year by the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) and was named an All-ECAC First Team selection as the organization released its men’s soccer awards Wednesday.

Naming Forrest the Offensive Player of the Year, the ECAC recognizes him as the top offensive player in the east. He led all members of the All-ECAC team in goals (15), total points (38) and penalty kick goals (4), while ranking fourth in assists (8) and third in game-winning goals (3).

Forrest’s prowess at the Patriot League level earned him the nomination to be considered for the ECAC awards. The three-time Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week led the league in points and goals, while also ranking towards the top of the league in assists. He was tabbed the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year and earned a First Team All-League selection. He also helped lead Lehigh to its 17th Patriot League postseason appearance this past season.

The Douglassville, Pa. native’s impressive numbers also ranked him among the nation's best this past season. By the end of the regular season, he ranked second in Division I in total points (38), tied for the second-most goals (15), tied for the sixth-most assists (8), had the third-most points per game (2.11) and was tied for the sixth-most goals per game (0.83).

Established in 1938, the ECAC is the nation's largest conference, ranging in location from Maine to Georgia, and westerly to Missouri. The ECAC hosts numerous championships in men's and women's sports across Divisions I, II and III, offering opportunities for thousands of student-athletes.

 

ECAC Division I Men’s Soccer All-ECAC Selections

Offensive Player of the Year

Mark Forrest – Lehigh University, Jr., F

Defensive Player of the Year

Ivan Blaskic – University of Massachusetts Lowell, So., D

Rookie of the Year

Davis Smith – University of Massachusetts, Fr., F

Coach of the Year

Tom Giovatto– St. Francis College- Brooklyn

 

All-ECAC First Team

Mark Forrest – Lehigh University, Jr., F

Mario Mastrangelo – Saint Francis University, Jr., F

Mamadou Guirassy – New Jersey Institute of Technology, Sr., F

Rasmus Hansen – Long Island University- Brooklyn, Jr., M

Joe Swenson – University of Pennsylvania, Sr., M

Alex DeSantis – University of Massachusetts, Sr., M

Ivan Blaskic – University of Massachusetts Lowell, So., D

Aram Ouiligan– Colgate University, Sr., D

Matthew Lewis – Fordham University, Sr., D

Faouzi Taieb – St. Francis College-Brooklyn, So., D

Rashid Nuhu – Fordham University, Jr., GK

 

All-ECAC Honorable Mention

Allen Gavilanes – Marist College, Fr., F

Mac Steeves – Providence College, Fr., D

Jose Aguinaga – Rider University, Sr. M

Jakov Basic – University of Massachusetts Lowell, Jr., M

Sylvain Coco – Rider University, Fr., D