Dubrovich, Gannon, Lyons Recognized with United Soccer Coaches College Player Award of Distinction
Juniors Jason Dubrovich and Sean Gannon and sophomore Mitchell Lyons of the Central Connecticut men's soccer team was recognized with the United Soccer Coaches 2020-21 College Player Award of Distinction it was announced on Wednesday. The award honors recipients from NCAA Divisions I, II, and III, in addition to NAIA, NCCAA, and Junior College.
In total, the award recognized 184 men and 325 women's players designated as 2020-21 recipients of the award. The new College Player Award of Distinction was established this spring for its member head coaches to submit deserving player based on one or more of the following criteria:
- Player has achieved quality performance on the field;
- Represented the highest ideals of team leadership;
- Exhibited quality character attributes including sportsmanship and respect for teammates, opponents, officials and the game in general;
- Made other significant contributions to the benefit of the program and the community.
Dubrovich started and played in seven matches for CCSU during the shortened spring season. He made 26 saves and posted a 1.38 goals against average in 650:00 minutes of action. He also posted a pair of shutouts against Northeast Conference foes.
Gannon earned United Soccer Coaches All-North Region Second Team and All-Northeast Conference Second Team honors. He captained the Blue Devils and started all seven games, while leading the team with seven points and three assists, to go along with a pair of goals.
Lyons helped solidify the Blue Devils' midfield. He played in all seven matches and scored a goal in a 3-0 win over Fairleigh Dickinson on March 22.
The trio helped CCSU place third in the NEC standings after closing the season at 3-3-1 and was in the hunt for a NEC championship game berth until the final game of the campaign. CCSU finished with a win percentage of .500 or better for the first time since 2013 in its first season under interim head coach David Kelly.