BETHLEHEM, Pa. – After finishing the regular season in second place in the conference, the American University men's soccer team earned six All-Patriot League selections and one major award. Senior
Ian Webb-Johnson was named the Defensive Player of the Year, while
Nicholas Beil,
Finn O'Brien,
Oliver Snowdon, and
Evan Tubbs earned spots on the Second Team, and
Chris Sullivan landed on the Third Team.
The senior captain Webb-Johnson anchored a back line that was crucial to earning results for American throughout the year, totaling seven clean sheets and allowing the second-fewest shots on goal in the PL at just 76. The defense kept AU in striking distance, as the Eagles tied or won seven matches in which they scored one goal or less, including a 1-0 victory over first-place BU on the road. For Webb-Johnson, it's his second All-Patriot League selection after earning a Second Team distinction in 2025.
Tubbs was AU's last line of defense behind Webb-Johnson, proving to be one of the conference's most reliable shot stoppers in his first year as a starter. The sophomore was in goal for all seven clean sheets, making 56 saves while holding a 1.12 GAA that ranked second in the PL. He made five vital saves in victories against Colgate and Bucknell, and made a heroic stop in the final action of the match against #15 West Virginia to secure a draw against one of the country's top teams.
O'Brien and Beil join Tubbs on the Second Team to round out recognition for the trio of sophomores, showcasing American's young core. O'Brien has been one of AU's most important players, making contributions on both sides of the field and playing all but nine minutes this season. Not only did he win several duels to gain possession for his team, but he was a pivotal piece in chance creation as well. The right back provided consistent service into the box and led the Eagles in assists with five, all of which came in wins.
Beil made a remarkable return to action after missing the first seven matches of the season, scoring three goals and dishing out an assist in just 10 appearances. He caught fire in the home stretch of the campaign, scoring the game-winning goal against Army, putting another shot through against Lafayette, and adding one of AU's two goals in a win over Holy Cross.
Snowdon and Sullivan represent AU's midfield, with Snowdon taking a Second Team spot and Sullivan getting a Third Team nod. Snowdon fulfilled a heavy work rate for the third straight season as AU's central defensive midfielder, totaling 1,421 minutes. Frequently on the ball, Snowdon was key in pivoting the Eagles into the attacking third with accurate passes, and he recorded two assists on the campaign.
Sullivan, a captain, was the team's leader throughout the season, playing over 1,000 minutes and stepping up in high-pressure moments to elevate his team. He scored game-winning goals at Colgate and BU, the first in the 87th minute and the second in 88th to secure six critical points for the Eagles. One of the most creative players in the attacking third for the Eagles, Sullivan also contributed two assists along the team's recent six-game undefeated streak.
American begins postseason play on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at Reeves Field to host the Patriot League Championship Semifinal. Kickoff is set for noon, and the Eagles will play the highest-remaining seed after the first round.
2026 Patriot League Men's Soccer Forward of the Year
Andrea Di Blasio, Boston University, Sr., F, Brooklyn, N.Y./Leon M. Goldstein
*Di Blasio tied for first in the League in goals (9), while leading the Terriers to the 2026 Patriot League Men's Soccer regular-season title.
*The senior led the League in game-winning goals (4) and ranked second in total points (19).
*Di Blasio led a Terrier offense that scored the most goals in the League during League play (21).
2026 Patriot League Men's Soccer Midfielder of the Year
Tyler Flynn, Loyola Maryland, Jr., M, Bel Air, Md./Calvert Hall
*Flynn ranked second in the League in goals (8), to lead the Greyhounds to a 2026 Patriot League Men's Soccer postseason berth.
*In League play, the junior was responsible for over half of the Loyola Maryland offensive attack, scoring eight of their 16 goals, while assisting on two goals.
*Flynn led the League in total points during League play (18), while ranking second in game-winning goals (3).
2026 Patriot League Men's Soccer Defender of the Year
Ian Webb-Johnson, American, Sr., D, Westwood, Mass./TECCA Connections Academy
*Webb-Johnson anchored an Eagles' backline that ranked second in the League in goals allowed (19) and first in shots allowed (128).
*In League play, he helped American rank second in goals allowed (8) and record four shutouts.
*The senior recorded his first point of the season with an assist in the Eagles' victory over Bucknell.
2026 Patriot League Men's Soccer Goalkeeper of the Year
Ben Alexander, Boston University, Sr., GK, Chilliwack, B.C./University Hill Secondary School
*Alexander led the League in fewest goals allowed (11) and goals-against average (0.73) to lead the Terriers to the No. 1 seed in the 2026 Patriot League Men's Soccer Championship.
*The senior ranked second in the League in shutouts (6), notching four shutouts in League play.
*The goalkeeper only allowed four goals against Patriot League opponents while recording 30 saves to lead the League in save percentage (.882).
2026 Patriot League Men's Soccer Rookie of the Year
Jack Illig, Navy, Fr., M, Phoenixville, Pa./Phoenixville
*Illig ranked fourth in the League and led all rookies in total points (15) to lead the Mids' offense.
*The freshman ranked tied for fourth in goals (5) and tied for second in assists (5), recording a three assists match against Loyola Maryland.
*Illig received two Patriot League Men's Soccer Rookie of the Week honors this season.
2026 Patriot League Men's Soccer Coaching Staff of the Year
Boston University – Head Coach: Kevin Nylen; Assistant Coaches: Patrick Lopez, Joe Blasetti, Francisco Neto
*Nylen and the Terriers' coaching staff led Boston University to a 7-2 Patriot League record and captured the program's fourth Patriot League regular-season title.
*The Terriers led the League in goals (27), while leading the League in fewest goals allowed (13).
*In League play, the Terriers led the League in margin of victory (1.66), goals allowed (6), and points (66).
2026 Patriot League Men's Soccer Major Award Winners
Forward of the Year: Andrea Di Blasio, Boston University, Sr., F
Midfielder of the Year: Tyler Flynn, Loyola Maryland, Jr., M
Defender of the Year: Ian Webb-Johnson, American, Sr., D
Goalkeeper of the Year: Ben Alexander, Boston University, Sr., GK
Rookie of the Year: Jack Illig, Navy, Fr., M
Coaching Staff of the Year: Boston University (Head Coach Kevin Nylen)
First Team All-Patriot League
Andrea Di Blasio, Boston University, F
Archie Hatcher, Holy Cross, F
Drew Roskos, Bucknell, F
Jubril Bamgbala, Army West Point, F
Tyler Flynn, Loyola Maryland, M
Jack Illig, Navy, M
Pharis Petrica, Boston University, M
Ian Webb-Johnson, American, D
Jack Lucas, Bucknell, D
Anthony Harper, Boston University, D
Ben Alexander, Boston University, GK
Second Team All-Patriot League
Thomas Robertson, Lehigh, F
Roy Biegon, Lafayette, F
Nicholas Beil, American, F
Trey Sheeler, Lehigh, M
Samir Dishnica, Lafayette, M
Ben Bagshaw, Boston University, M
Oliver Snowdon, American, M
Collin Sullivan, Bucknell, D
Finn O'Brien, American, D
Paul Smajlaj, Lehigh, D
Evan Tubbs, American, GK
Third Team All-Patriot League
Ryan Schachter, Colgate, F
Blake Pipkin, Colgate, F
Nick Laffey, Loyola Maryland, F
Chris Sullivan, American, M
David Krumov, Bucknell, M
Sebastian Otero, Boston University, M
Dylan Williams, Boston University, M
Kelly Cooper, Army West Point, D
Guillem Vila Ametller, Boston University, D
Jeremiah McGuire, Loyola Maryland, D
Thomas Yerbury, Bucknell, GK
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