Feb. 7, 2009
Photo Gallery
DAYTON, Ohio - University of Dayton head coach Dennis Currier honored his players and thanked the parents, fans and staff that helped celebrate one of the most successful seasons in Flyer men's soccer history at the 2008 UD men's soccer banquet Saturday in the Kennedy Union Ballroom.
At the annual men's soccer awards banquet, Currier reflected back on a season that was filled with triumph, team accomplishments and individual success.
His UD squad went 15-4-3 overall, claimed the 2008 Atlantic 10 Men's Soccer Championship, earned UD's first-ever berth to the NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament and were selected as high as No. 1 the NSCAA/adidas® Middle Atlantic Regional Rankings and No. 19 in the national rankings.
"I've been a part of a lot of championships and this one is very special to me," said Currier. "People will look back on this season and that championship and stories from it will become legendary. You are in a room with a special group of young men that have accomplished something no other UD men's soccer team has achieved."
In addition to breaking the school record for wins in a single season, the Flyers tied the UD record for goals scored in a season (46).
Currier recognized all of the Flyer student-athletes that accumulated accolades at the close of the season and also distributed Varsity D awards.
Then he announced the team awards; Defender of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, Most Valuable Player and Coaches Achievement Award.
Freshman central back Jack Pearson was named the Defender of the Year for the Flyers. In addition to being named to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team, he was honored by College Soccer News to the All-Freshman Team. He started 21 games and scored four goals in his rookie campaign.
"Jack came in and made an impact right away," said Currier.
With an explosion of offense this season and the impact both these players provided, senior Florian DeCamps and junior Alex Torda were named Co-Offensive Players of the Year. Torda, one of Dayton's most decorated players - on the field and off - led the Flyers with 10 goals this season. He was the first-ever Dayton men's soccer player to be named to the Herman Trophy Watch List. He earned All-Ohio, NSCAA All-Region and Atlantic 10 honors, in addition to being named an Academic All-American by ESPN The Magazine and the NSCAA. DeCamps scored nine goals and had five assists, tying for the team-high in points with 23. He was named the A-10 Championship MVP, was a First Team All-Atlantic 10 selection and was named NSCAA All-Region and All-Ohio.
"We had a very dangerous offense and these guys were a major part," said Currier. "The choice was too hard to pick just one, so we will have Co-Offensive Players of the Year."
Junior Ben Murray earned the Most Valuable Player award. Murray started 21 games in central midfield and tallied one goal and four assists. He was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Championship Team.
"A lot of times unsung heroes go unnoticed," said Currier. "Ben was so crucial to our success that when you took him off the field we become a different team altogether. He is a difference-maker and very important to our team."
The Coaches Achievement Award went to junior Ryan Handbury. In the preseason, Handbury earned the coveted "Red Jersey" which goes to the individual who is a symbol of physical and mental determination, competition, and pride. Handbury started all 22 games on defense that posted eight shutouts and one goal or less in 16 games.
"The Coaches Achievement Award is about persistence," said Currier. "Ryan came into this preseason ready and I saw such a difference. He understands the tradition of the `Red Jersey' and he won it this year with his determination."
Finally, Currier recognized each senior with a tribute; Florian DeCamps, Daniel March, Joe Olwig and Simeon Zapryanov.
