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WVWC’s Deniz named MEC Offensive Player of the Year; ‘Cats put six players on MEC All-Conference teams

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. – The Mountain East Conference announced its 2023 All-Conference Teams and major award winners for men’s soccer, following a vote of the league’s head coaches.

West Virginia Wesleyan’s Sinasi Emre Deniz was honored as the MEC Offensive Player of the Year, while Charleston goalkeeper Marc Torrado was honored as the Defensive Player of the Year. UC’s Jose Suarez Monaco was named the league’s Freshman of the Year. In addition, Charleston head coach Daniel Smee was voted the MEC Men’s Soccer Coach of the Year.

Deniz, a senior from Turkey, tied for the league lead with 10 goals and also added three assists on the season. His 23 points during the 2023 season also tied for the league lead. In 17 total games played, Deniz fired 40 shots, with 25 shots being on goal. He was also successful on both of his PK attempts this season. Deniz earned MEC Offensive Player of the Week honors back on Sept. 18.

Torrado, a senior from Spain, turned in a 14-0 record in the Charleston goal this season, allowing just three goals. He recorded nine complete-game shutouts on the year and played all but 90 minutes in the UC net this season. He tallied 27 saves on the year, including a season-high five against Notre Dame (10/4) and D&E (10/14). Torrado was a two-time MEC Defensive Player of the Week this fall. He led the league in goals against average (.231), shutouts (9) and saves percentage (.900).

Suarez, a freshman from Argentina, played and started in all 17 games for the Golden Eagles this season, scoring six goals and passing out two assists. He totaled 14 points on the season and had a .486 shots on goal percentage for the year. He was also 1-for-1 on PK attempts. His point total ranked fourth on UC’s roster.

Smee was once against named the MEC Men’s Soccer Coach of the Year in 2023, leading the Golden Eagles to a record of 16-1 overall and 13-1 in league play. The Golden Eagles enter this week’s MEC Tournament on a 13-game winning streak as well as going 8-0 at home this season. UC currently ranks second in Super Region 1 and third nationally by the United Soccer Coaches.

The 2023 MEC All-Conference Teams are listed below.

2023 All-MEC First Team
Pos.NameCl.School
GKKeegan GrantSo.Concord
GKMarc TorradoSr.Charleston
FJoao BelmudesSo.Charleston
FSinasi Emre DenizSr.West Va. Wesleyan
FMirai SatoJr.Notre Dame
MEvans ArmahJr.Notre Dame
MSam NewellSo.West Va. Wesleyan
MConnor O’ReillyJr.Notre Dame
MLewis ReddingSr.Charleston
DKai ForsythSo.Concord
DJuan HermosoJr.Charleston
DJuan PinedaJr.Notre Dame
DFranco TradattiSo.Charleston
2023 All-MEC Second Team
Pos.NameCl.School
GKDanilo WilsonJr.Notre Dame
FFabian AmhofJr.Concord
FEduardo BarrosGr.Charleston
FShemar DaleyJr.Davis & Elkins
FVitor OtsukaSr.West Liberty
MGiorgos DiakosSo.Charleston
MMark DonnellySr.West Liberty
MSahar GolovFr.Davis & Elkins
MJose Suarez MonacoFr.Charleston
DFran Anton LopezGr.Charleston
DAllan CuartasSo.Davis & Elkins
DBrogan HornimanJr.West Va. Wesleyan
DJasper NewtonFr.West Liberty
DJaime RazoSr.West Va. Wesleyan
2023 All-MEC Honorable Mention
GK:Noah Underwood (WLU)

F: Carlos Almeida (NDC), Stafford Dowling (UC), Zach Forehand (WLU), Carlos Quintero (FROST), Ailton Silva (NDC)

M: Dominique Castano (DE), Callum Cleary (NDC), Modou Faye (DE), Elvis Gomez (CU), Dillon Rajkovic (WVWC)

D: Mattia Bui (DE), Caleb Dell (FROST), Rhys Lewis (WLU), Jared Rimmer (NDC)
2023 All-MEC Freshman Team
Pos.NameSchool
MWill CouchNotre Dame
FMax EvansWest Va. Wesleyan
FZach ForehandWest Liberty
MSahar GolovDavis & Elkins
FJon-Michael GordanWheeling
DJasper NewtonWest Liberty
MDillon RajkovicWest Va. Wesleyan
MJose Suarez MonacoCharleston
GKGrant WylesDavis & Elkins
–
Offensive Player of the Year: Sinasi Emre Deniz (West Va. Wesleyan)
Defensive Player of the Year: Marc Torrado (Charleston)
Freshman of the Year: Jose Suarez Monaco (Charleston)
Coach of the Year: Daniel Smee (Charleston)

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