BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The American University men's soccer team earned an impressive share of this year's Patriot League major awards and All-League selections. Troy Elgersma was named Midfielder of the Year, Matthew Tibbetts the Goalkeeper of the Year, and the Coaching Staff of the Year was awarded to Zach Samol and his assistants. Mustpaha Sowe and Jonah Fogel took home First Team honors in addition to Elgersma and Tibbets, while Ian Webb-Johnson and Taku Takahashi made the Second Team, and Sebastian Garces landed on the third team. 

American collected three of the six major awards, and earned the most All-League selections.

It's the second straight major award for the Midfielder of the Year Elgersma, who was named the Offensive Player of the Year a season ago. He earns this year's honor after scoring five goals and recording an assist, most recently notching one apiece in AU's 3-1 win over Navy to seal regular season title. In addition to his dependable finishing ability, the senior captain has been AU's attacking engine, handling the ball masterfully in the midfield throughout the season and consistently setting up scoring opportunities for the Eagles. Elgersma has 12 career goals and 15 assists to his name, logging over 4,700 minutes and counting. 

Matthew Tibbetts has been AU's reliable last line of defense throughout his career, and is named Goalkeeper of the Year after an excellent senior season. Tibbetts made 52 saves and logged three clean sheets, holding a .765 save percentage and 1.06 GAA to put him at fourth in the Patriot League in all categories. He gave his team a chance to win close games throughout the season, coming up with both difficult and timely saves. AU was a strong second half team, scoring 15 goals in the second 45 to just six in the first. Tibbetts made 34 first half saves, keeping the Eagles either tied or leading their opponents at halftime nine times. AU went 8-1 in those games, proving Tibbetts' early stops to be vital to positive results. 

Head coach Zach Samol and assistant coaches Pat Mehlert, Zach Weidman, and Jerry Zouantcha have been named the Coaching Staff of the Year. Mehlert has been with the program for seven seasons, Weidman for four, and Zouantcha joined the staff this year. 

Samol is recognized after the team's best season with him at the helm, leading the Eagles to their first regular season title under him. He challenged his squad with a demanding non-conference schedule that saw them face three ranked teams on the road, and included a cross-country trip to California. The Eagles entered Patriot League play prepared, going 7-1-1 for the program's best PL record since 2016. With the first-place finish, Samol has taken AU to the PL Tournament in six of his seven seasons, and looks to reach the NCAA Tournament for a second time.

Sowe and Garces represent AU's attacking players on the All-Patriot League teams. The two seniors were a dangerous tandem in the attacking third, connecting with each other on four goals this season. Sowe led AU in points, putting in five goals and adding two assists to his dynamic play in scoring areas. He logged a point in four straight games from Sep. 6 to Sep. 27, and tallied a brace in American's 2-1 win over BU. 

Garces had the most impactful season of his career as a senior, scoring two goals and dishing out five assists. He was outstanding in Patriot League play, jumpstarting AU's conference competition with a screaming strike that put the Eagles in front of Colgate on Sep. 19. Garces went on to record a goal and an assist against Army, two assists against Lehigh, and one more helper against Navy in the final match of the season, putting his footprint all over American's PL success. 

Fogel, Takahashi, and Webb-Johnson earned recognition for AU's defense. The trio were a part of a back line that allowed just 1.06 goals per game, tied for third in the Patriot League. Fogel and Takahashi locked up the right and left sides of American's half all season long, while Webb-Johnson anchored AU at center back. Takahashi produced on the attacking side as well, contributing two goals and three assists. He was one of the team's most accurate passers, frequently creating scoring opportunities on crosses and free kick deliveries. 

The Eagles will await the results of the first round of the Patriot League Tournament to find out who they will play in the semifinal match on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at home. Kickoff at Reeves Field is set for noon. 

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