SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (November 8, 2017) – The American Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) today announced its Men's Soccer All-Conference Team. Chosen by the league's coaches, Joe O'Halloran (Wantagh, NY / Wantagh) was recognized as one of three Defenders of the Year, while earning first-team honors. Alhasane Sako (Brooklyn, NY / Academy for Social Action) was also recognized on the first team, and goalkeeper Marcos Andrino (Yorktown Heights / Lakeland) earned second-team accolades.
O'Halloran, in his senior season, proved himself to be Delhi's prominent team captain and leader in 2017. Starting the year as a midfielder, a rash of injuries prompted head coach Brian Mitko to place O'Halloran on defense. The switch was not only met with enthusiasm by O'Halloran, but helped the Broncos put together a late-season run to finish the year above .500 at 9-8, and reaching the NIAC Championship. The Wantagh, NY native finished the year with five points on two goals and one assist, including a goal in the Broncos' 4-0 win over Fisher in the NIAC Semifinals.
Sako joined the Broncos this season as a sophomore walk-on. Despite missing three games due to injury, The Brooklyn, NY native became the team's breakout player and scoring leader with 15 points on six goals and three assists. Sako had just two goals all season before tallying a hat trick in Delhi's 8-2 in over Vermont Tech on Oct. 11 that made him the team's season scoring leader. Delhi won every match Sako scored or assisted in, including late-season victories over Fisher, where he had one goal and one assist, Berkeley NY and Fisher again in the NIAC Semifinals.
In his first season as starting goalie, Andrino started every match on his way to a 9-8 record with four shutouts. He finished the year with a 2.59 GAA and .690 save percentage, totaling 89 saves and just 40 goals allowed. The junior registered double digits in saves twice this season, including a career-best 15 against Maine Fort Kent in the NIAC Championship and 12 at Cazenovia. In a two-day span, Andrino posted back-to-back shutouts. The first was a 1-0 overtime win over SUNY ESF on Sept. 23, followed by a 3-0 road victory at College of St. Joseph on Sept. 24.
2017 ALL-ACAA MEN'S SOCCER TEAM
First Team
Noah Nixon, Pine Manor, D
Moises Membreno, Finlandia, D
Akheem Thompson, Pine Manor, D
Demba Ba, SUNY Canton, D
Joseph O'Halloran, SUNY Delhi, D
Osvaldo Cruz, Finlandia, F
Jose Corrales, Pine Manor, F
Jahvar Gayle, Pine Manor, F
Alhasane Sako, SUNY Delhi, F
Kyle Smith, SUNY Canton, F
Connor Campbell, SUNY Canton, GK
Edward Caballero, Finlandia, MF
Cesar Garcia, Pine Manor, MF
Junior Espino, Finlandia, MF
Erdous Lebron, SUNY Canton, MF
Diego Herrara, Pine Manor, MF
Second Team
Chris Balys, Alfred St., D
Connor Bruyn, SUNY Canton, D
Hector Martinez, SUNY Canton, D
Zach Wichman, Finlandia, D
Edward Malinoski, Jr., SUNY Canton, F
Tyler Borkadi, Finlandia, F
Colton Swan, Valley Forge, F
Chris Udobe, Me.-Presque Isle, F
Marcos Andrino, SUNY Delhi, GK
Brandon Holley, Alfred St., MF
Sean Barbosa, Me.-Presque Isle, MF
Ryan Johnson, Alfred St., MF
Honorable Mention
Victor Perez, Valley Forge, D
Paul Kaplan, Me.-Presque Isle, D
Jake Vattimo, Alfred St., D
Kory Zimmer, Alfred St., F
Brandon Nyekan, Valley Forge, MF
Angel Pena, Pine Manor, GK
Matt Manter, Me.-Presque Isle, GK
Freshman of the Year
Noah Nixon, Pine Manor
Defensive Players of the Year
Moises Membreno, Finlandia
Noah Nixon, Pine Manor
Joseph O'Halloran, SUNY Delhi
Goalkeeper of the Year
Connor Campbell, SUNY Canton
Coach of the Year
John Shimer, Pine Manor