WINTER PARK, Fla. – Eckerd College senior captain
Matt Duffy was voted the Sunshine State Conference Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Year and sophomore
Matt Dolan joined him on the all-league ballot as unveiled earlier today.
Duffy, now a three-time All-SSC selection as a stalwart defender, received 115 total votes with the inclusive First-Team All-SSC nod. He beat out runner-up and Freshman of the Year Walker Hume of Rollins College, who had 91 votes.
Dolan's offensive production and multiple SSC Offensive Player of the Week awards grabbed the attention of the voters to earn a spot on the strong All-SSC Second Team.
A total of 23 student-athletes from around the conference were named to the men's All-SSC Team.
Duffy received four first-place votes from the league's coaches and five of eight first-place tallies from the SID's to add to his already decorated career résumé.
The Tritons departed town earlier today to head to Boca Raton where No. 1 seed Lynn University awaits in the Florida Blue SSC Championship semifinals tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 p.m.
“It's great to be recognized by the coaches across the conference, but the award is for the team -- not me,” said a humble Duffy. “We've got a great team spirit and we got every result as a team. Our fingers are crossed we can have a big weekend in Boca Raton and make it even more of a season to remember.”
Duffy is tied for the team lead in goals with five and has handed out a pair of assists this year. He was named the SSC Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 15 and has been automatic in penalty kick situations, converting four of five chances this fall.
But it's the little things on the field that don't always show up on the box score that make him a respected field general from around the league from the opposing players and coaches.
He controls possession with his impressive vertical on headers, mobilizes his teammates together with vocal communication, and his imposing 6-1 frame covers endless ground to make it problematic for forwards/midfielders entering EC territory.
Dolan lit up Florida Tech for a hat trick this season and leads the team in total points with 15 (5 G, 5 A).
His balanced stat totals helped the Tritons to their best finish over .500 in the SSC standings since 1984. He also enjoyed a multi-goal game in a home win against Barry University, netting two scores.
Tyler Blackwood (Tampa) was named the SSC Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year. Hume was the Freshman of the Year and Tampa's Adrian Bush was voted as the Coach of the Year.
The Tritons will face the Fighting Knights for the second time this season tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. with a spot in the tournament championship game on the line.
Links for live stats and video/audio feeds will be posted on EckerdTritons.com.
2012 ALL-SUNSHINE STATE CONFERENCE MEN'S SOCCER TEAM
FIRST TEAM
F – Tyler Blackwood, Tampa (So)
F – Rob Crowley, Rollins (So)
F – Julian Halder, Lynn (Grad)
M – Gary Ogilvie, Florida Tech (Sr)
M – Daniel Salazar, Rollins (Sr)
M – Jack Winter, Lynn (So)
D – Matt Duffy, Eckerd (Sr)
D – Brian Fekete, Tampa (Sr)
D – Walker Hume, Rollins (Fr)
GK – Matt DiCerbo, Lynn (Sr)
At-Large – Riccardo Bini, Nova Southeastern (Fr)
Player of the Year – Tyler Blackwood, Tampa
Offensive Player of the Year – Tyler Blackwood, Tampa
Defensive Player of the Year – Matt Duffy, Eckerd
Freshman of the Year – Walker Hume, Rollins
Coach of the Year – Adrian Bush, Tampa
SECOND TEAM
F – Matt Dolan, Eckerd (So)
F – Brett Durrance, Rollins (Fr)
F – Drake Hillman, Florida Tech (So)
M – Antoine Aupiais, Florida Tech (So)
M – Evan Greenbaum, Rollins (So)
M – Guilherme Oliveira, Barry (Sr)
D – Nicola Brivio, Nova Southeastern (Fr)
D – Ashley Holmes, Florida Southern (Grad)
D – Jason Sangha, Lynn (So)
GK – Keneil Baker, Rollins (Jr)
At-Large – Brentton Muhammad, Florida Tech (Sr)
HONORABLE MENTION
F – Grant Blackhurst, Rollins (Fr)
