WATERVILLE, Me. (November 4, 2021) – Senior forward Brody Rettle (Staten Island, NY / Susan E. Wagner) and junior midfielder Cesar Cruz-Vasquez (Poughkeepsie, NY / Franklin D. Roosevelt) both received All-NAC Honorable Mention to represent the SUNY Delhi men's soccer program on the conference's 2021 recognition. Junior goalkeeper Jonathan Walch (Brewster, NY / Brewster) earned a spot on the Sportsmanship Team.
Under first-year head coach EJ Reutemann, the Broncos fielded mainly a roster of newcomers and six returning student-athletes. Despite this, the group gelled stronger each contest and were competitive in all their matches, with ten determined by a one-goal difference and only facing as much as a three-goal deficit twice during the year. Delhi displayed excellence from the back all season, including Walch, who allowed just 19 goals through 16 matches for a 1.25 goals allowed average, good for fifth in the NAC, and a .824 save percentage, good for second. Walch's selection to the Sportsmanship Team recognizes those who have distinguished themselves through demonstrated acts of sportsmanship and ethical behavior. The honorees have positively affected the sport culture and game environment by clearly demonstrating sportsmanship and integrity beyond playing rules and etiquette.
Rettle completed his storied Broncos career second on the squad with eight points on three goals and two assists. His last career assist and point served memorable in his final game when he lined a cross headed in by Michael Williams Jr. for the winning score to defeat playoff-bound SUNY Canton, 1-0, on Oct. 23. He accumulated 75 points on 30 goals and 15 assists through four seasons for a program record in points and goals. He had a two-goal performance in the team's 5-0 NAC win over Northern Vermont Lyndon, including one on a direct free kick to close out the scoring. His first assist and point of the season led to a 1-1 draw against SUNY Potsdam, with his header off a throw in directed towards Williams, who tied the match in the 88th minute.
Cruz-Vasquez, a transfer student-athlete, was ever-present at midfield for Delhi all season, starting all but one of the team's 16 matches. He was frequently called in to deliver corner kicks, with one of them presenting arguably one of the highlight-reel goals of the season for the fourth of a five-goal win over Northern Vermont Lyndon. His liner towards the box led to a three-touch score on the fly, beginning with a high header by Abubukar Mohammed, an overhead flick from Justin Huallanca, and Rettle's point-blank line drive to score.
The NAC Championship is slated for this Saturday when NAC West champion SUNY Poly faces East-winner Maine Farmington. Delhi played both during the regular season, with each match decided by one goal in favor of the division representatives.
