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Pitt’s Kizza, Perez and Vaughn earn All-ACC men’s soccer honors

Three members of the University of Pittsburgh men’s soccer team earned All-ACC accolades as announced by conference officials Wednesday morning.

Sophomore Edward Kizza was named First Team All-ACC and senior Javi Perez was tabbed Second Team All-ACC, while freshman Chandler Vaughn was selected to the ACC All-Freshman Team.

Kizza became the first Pitt soccer player in program history to be named First Team All-ACC while receiving his second All-ACC Team honor in as many years after being selected to the All-Freshman Team last season. The sophomore forward had one of the most prolific offensive seasons in program history, collecting 15 goals in 19 matches for the Panthers. The Kampala, Uganda, native finished the season tied for third in school history in goals, while ranking fifth in points (30). No Pitt player had previously cracked the top 10 in single-season goals since 1977 and single-season points since 1997. Kizza ranks fourth in the nation in goals, seventh in points and 12th in shot accuracy (.622), while leading the ACC in each category.

Perez, the squads’ senior captain, earned Second Team All-ACC honors for the second consecutive season. The Valencia, Spain, native played a major role as the team leader and was an integral component to the Panther midfield. Perez ranked second on the team in points (11), goals (four) and assists (three).

Vaughn, a freshman from Woodbridge, Va., appeared in 18 matches while making 15 starts for Pitt. He was a key contributor to a Panther defense that recorded five shutouts on the season. Vaughn collected two assists in his inaugural campaign.

The Panthers finished the 2018 season with an 8-10-1 overall record and a 2-6 mark against ACC opponents. Pitt collected two wins against ranked opponents on the year, including its first-ever ACC Tournament victory over No. 7 Virginia. The squad advanced to the quarterfinals of the conference tournament, where it eventually fell to No. 8 Duke in a penalty kick shootout.

2018 ACC Men’s Soccer Individual Awards

Coach of the Year:  Bobby Muuss, Wake Forest

Offensive Player of the Year: Omir Fernandez, So., M, Wake Forest

Defensive Player of the Year: Alex Comsia, Sr., D, North Carolina

Midfielder of the Year: Bruno Lapa, Jr., M, Wake Forest

Freshman of the Year: Issa Rayyan, Fr., M, Duke

 

2018 All-ACC Men’s Soccer Teams

First Team

Daniele Proch, Jr., M, Duke

Tate Schmitt, Sr., F, Louisville

Nils Bruening, Sr., F, North Carolina

Alex Comsia, Sr., D, North Carolina

Mauricio Pineda, Jr., M, North Carolina

James Pyle, Sr., GK, North Carolina

David Loera, So., F, NC State

Edward Kizza, So., F, Pitt

Tajon Buchanan , So., F, Syracuse

Omir Fernandez, So., M, Wake Forest

Bruno Lapa, Jr., M, Wake Forest

 

Second Team

Simon Enstrom, Sr., F, Boston College

Will Pulisic, So., GK, Duke

Brandon Williamson, Jr, M., Duke

Issa Rayyan, Fr., M, Duke

Geoffrey Dee, Sr., M, Louisville

John Nelson, So., D, North Carolina

Thomas Ueland, Sr., F, Notre Dame

Patrick Berneski, Gr., D, Notre Dame

Javi Perez, Sr., M, Pitt

Kristo Strickler, So., M, Virginia Tech

Brad Dunwell, Sr., M, Wake Forest

 

Third Team

Ciaran McKenna, Sr., M, Duke

Cherif Dieye, Jr., M, Louisville

Jack Skahan, Jr., M, North Carolina

Manny Perez, So., F, NC State

Tommy McCabe, Jr., M, Notre Dame

Felicien Dumas, Sr., D, Notre Dame

Kamal Miller, Sr, D, Syracuse

Joe Bell, So., M, Virginia

Henry Kessler, So., D, Virginia

Mathijs Swaneveld, So., GK, Virginia Tech

Sam Raben, Sr., D, Wake Forest

 

All-Freshman Team

Kristofer Konraddson, Fr., M, Boston College

Charlie Asensio, Fr., D, Clemson

Issa Raayan, Fr., M, Duke

Aedan Stanley, Fr., D, Duke

Chandler Vaughn, Fr., D, Pitt

Ryan Raposo, Fr., M, Syracuse

Daryl Dike, Fr., F, Virginia

Cabrel Happi Kamseu, Fr., F, Virginia

Aboubacar Keita, Fr., D, Virginia

Daniel Steedman, Fr., F, Virginia

Aristotle Zarris, Fr., F, Wake Forest

John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).

Glory on the Grass

Riverhounds MF Kenardo Forbes

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