DAYTON, Ohio – The University of Dayton men’s soccer team wrapped up the 2010 season with its annual postseason awards banquet on Friday.

“We appreciate all of the hard work and dedication from our three seniors this season and we wish them the best in their endeavors,” Dayton Head Coach Dennis Currier said.  “They played a critical role in teaching our young team how to compete.  We are excited to move forward and get ready for the next stage, which is learning how to win.”

Senior defender Tommy Watkins was named the team’s Most  Valuable Player. Watkins led the team in scoring with eight points on the year (3 goals, 2 assists). In addition, Watkins was an Academic All-District IV First Team selection and was also a Lowe’s Senior CLASS Candidate. He was honored by the Atlantic 10 as an honorable mention on the all-conference team.

Junior goalkeeper Tyler Picard earned the Defensive Player of the Year Award. Picard tallied a career-high eight shutouts this season, en route to being one of the top goalkeepers in the nation. Picard’s shutout total ranked eighth in the A-10. In addition, he was third in goals against average (0.79) and save percentage (.821).

Guenzberg, Germany native Oskar Kretzinger was tabbed as the Unsung Hero of Dayton’s squad. Kretzinger, a midfielder, was a late addition to UD, but made a tremendous impact in his one season for the Red and Blue.  He had two goals on the season and was a potent scoring threat for the Flyers with 31 shots.

A pair of freshmen were also honored during the banquet. Rookie Marlon Duran was selected as the team’s Midfielder of the Year, while freshman defender Jonathan Nelson was UD’s Rookie of the Year. Duran tied for second on the team with six points (2 goals, 2 assists). Nelson played a pivotal part on Dayton’s defense. He helped the Flyers post eight blank sheets on the year.

Junior defender Jack Pearson earned the Coaches Achievement Award. Pearson excelled from the beginning of the season to the end. During training camp he earned UD’s coveted “Red Jersey” and capped off his season with a selection to the A-10’s All-Conference Second Team at the conclusion.

Pearson was a key component for Dayton’s offense and defense. In addition to the Flyers’ previous shutout total, he also tallied six points on the year (2 goals, 2 assists) to tie for second on the team in scoring.

The Flyers graduate three seniors this season. They finished the 2010 campaign with a 7-8-3 record and a 3-4-2 record in the A-10.