Men's Soccer Awards 2019-20
May 21 | Men's Soccer
Lino DiCuollo Freshman of the Year (Co-Winners)
Named after the Rutgers Hall of Famer who scored 17 points as a first-year, and later took RU to the '89 Final Four.
Jackson Temple
Head coach Jim McElderry: “Jackson had a huge impact on our team. The obvious is that he came in and scored goals as a freshman. But he also raised the level of our team in terms of competing at all times in training and working on his game to get better. Jackson has a bright future as a Scarlet Knight.”
Hugo LeGuennec
McElderry: “Hugo is a top level talent. He helped us tremendously as we played out of the back and tried to dictate play. He also has excellent natural athletic ability that helps him match up with the best attacking players in the country. If Hugo continues to work on his game, the sky is the limit for him as a player.”
George Dochat Sportsmanship Award
Named after the "Father of Rutgers Soccer," this is bestowed upon the player whose character best exemplifies the virtues of courage, honor and fair play.
Jake Longo
McElderry: “Jake is a leader and exemplifies all we want in a Rutgers soccer player. He puts in the time off the field to prepare, competes in every session and holds himself to highest of standards off the field. Jake has been a massive help to our staff this season and we have all learned a lot from him.”
Richard Ferraro Award
Earned by the player who was most inspirational to the team’s success and demonstrated the dedication, spirit & values of the program. This award was established as a memorial to Richard Ferraro, who exemplified the prototypical Rutgers soccer player on and off the field.
Vince Borden
McElderry: “Vince truly exemplifies this award given to an inspirational and dedicated player on the Rutgers soccer team. Vince trains as hard as anyone I have ever been around. He is willing to put in the time to make himself and the team better. Vince leads by example and pushes the group to meet his high standards.”
Alfred B. Sasser Award
Alfred Sasser Jr., was a soccer and lacrosse player at Rutgers from 1945-49. His father felt that his son gained so much from participating in these two sports that he wished to establish trophies in his son’s name to encourage others’ involvement. The Alfred Sasser Soccer Award is awarded annually to that member of the senior class who has demonstrated the highest qualities of leadership, initiative, team spirit, and loyalty, and who participated as a member of the Rutgers Soccer team for three years.
Tim McQuaid
McElderry: “Tim has had a great career at Rutgers. This past season he worked extremely hard to push himself into the starting line-up and help us achieve some of our goals as a team. Always willing to help a teammate or a coaching staff member, Tim has been a pleasure to coach and work with. We will greatly miss him next year.”
Peter Vermes Top Training Teammate Award
A new award named for an All-American & Hall of Fame alum who went on to play in the World Cup for the United State Men's National Team and in Major League Soccer as a player and executive.
Vincenzo Pugliese
McElderry: “We had many players that could have won this award, Vincenzo Pugliese is a team member that brings his best every single day. Regardless of the session or how things are going, Cenzo gets after it at all times. Cenzo brings the competitiveness and drive I am looking for from all of Rutgers soccer players. I could not be happier with what Cenzo brings to our team and how he helps us sets the standards each and everyday.”
Art Brinkmann Top Scorer Award
Created in 1999, the Art Brinkmann Award is given annually to the team’s top goal scorer. It was named in honor of Art Brinkmann, the school’s first soccer All-American and top goal scorer during the 1950’s. Brinkmann, a past President of the booster club, has been a life-long supporter of the Scarlet Knights.
Pablo Ávila
McElderry: “Pablo had a very successful first year with us. He has the highest level of technical ability and can play with anyone in the country. He makes our team better and creates for himself and for others in any type of match. He scored six goals this season and we will look for him to build on that for next year!”
Mike Miller Most Improved Player Award
Named for an alum and longtime supporter who took Rutgers to the 1990 national title game while changing positions as his team needed.
Anthony O'Donnell
McElderry: “We have had some players improve greatly during this past year. But OD has truly earned this award through dedication, perseverance and old fashioned hard work. OD played significant minutes this season for us in multiple positions. He adapted and learned as the season progressed. I am looking forward to having him take another step in his game in our 2020 season.”
Bob McNulty MVP Award
A loyal servant to the game of soccer, Bob McNulty was one of the sport's pioneers in the United States. He touched and inspired thousands of players, coaches, referees and fans during his 25 year involvement in the game. His eight year association with Rutgers coincided with the program’s greatest successes.
Pablo Ávila
McElderry: “Pablo was involved in almost all of our best moments this past season. He is ultra competitive and has the talent to back it all up. He is also a great teammate and wants others around him to be successful. I think players are undervalued who make those around them better. Pablo makes his teammates better players by the way he plays. I am looking forward to seeing him grow on the field even more next season.”
