BUFFALO — University at Buffalo men’s soccer senior standout Russell Cicerone earned First-Team All-MAC honors for the fourth time in his career, as announced by the conference office on Thursday. Joining Cicerone on the first team was junior David Enstrom while junior Nick Forrester earned the second team nod.
The three All-MAC selections match last season’s total and are the most in a season since 2008 when the Bulls had six All-Conference performers.
Cicerone becomes the first UB player and third player in MAC history to earn First-Team All-MAC in four consecutive seasons after producing the best season of his career. The Bloomfield Hills, MI native finished off his impressive regular season with a MAC-leading 13 goals, eight assists and a MAC-leading 34 points. His 13 goals and 34 points are the highest in program history since Steve Butcher in 1999 while also ranking sixth and fourth in the NCAA, respectively.
This marks the second straight season that Cicerone has led the MAC in scoring as he has recorded 25 goals and 16 assists for 66 points over his last two seasons, while the next closest MAC player has 45 points over the same span.
The crafty playmaker has etched his name all over the UB record books as well as the MAC record books as he currently ranks second in UB and MAC history in career goals (41), second in UB and third in MAC history in career points (103) and first in UB history in career assists (21). He also set the single match UB and MAC records for goals (five) and points (11) in a match earlier this season.
Enstrom earns First-Team All-MAC honors for the first time in his UB career after being a very versatile player in the defensive third for the Bulls this season. The Stockholm, Sweden native started all 17 matches for the Bulls both on the back line and the holding midfield position. Enstrom was able to produce a goal and assist for three points offensively while also notching a career-high 13 shots this season. He was a strong force defensively that helped the Bulls record a MAC-high 10 clean sheets while holding opponents to just 14 goals through 17 matches.
Forrester received Second-Team All-MAC honors for the second straight season after appearing in all 17 matches and making nine starts on the backline for the stingy Buffalo defense. The Auckland, New Zealand native was a force defensively this season for the Bulls as he helped secure a MAC-high 10 clean sheets while allowing opponents to just 12.2 shots/game. Forrester has also been a key factor for the Bulls over their last three matches as he has helped Buffalo earn three straight shutouts.
The Bulls will return to the pitch on Friday at 4:00 pm as they will take on No. 2 seeded Bowling Green in the MAC semifinals at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field. The winner of Friday’s semifinal match will take on the winner of No. 1 Akron and No. 4 Western Michigan on Sunday at 1:00 pm in Akron, OH.
First Team:
- Pau Belana, Midfielder, Akron
- Adam Najem, Midfielder, Akron
- Brad Ruhaak, Defender, Akron
- Pat Flynn, Forward, Bowling Green
- Anthony Mwembia, Goalkeeper, Bowling Green
- Russell Cicerone, Forward, Buffalo
- David Enstrom, Defender, Buffalo
- Jad Arslan, Midfielder, West Virginia
- Joey Piatczyc, Midfielder, West Virginia
- Zach Bock, Defender, Western Michigan
- Brandon Bye, Forward, Western Michigan
Second Team:
- Sam Gainford, Forward, Akron
- Nick Hinds, Defender, Akron
- Stuart Holthusen, Forward, Akron
- Jonathan Lewis, Forward, Akron
- Ben Lundt, Goalkeeper, Akron
- Tate Robertson, Midfielder, Bowling Green
- Jacob Roth, Defender, Bowling Green
- Joe Sullivan, Midfielder, Bowling Green
- Nick Forrester, Defender, Buffalo
- Jack Elliot, Defender, West Virginia
- Felix Angerer, Forward, West Virginia
- Edu Jimenez, Midfielder, Western Michigan
- Diego Lopez, Midfielder, Western Michigan
- Drew Shepherd, Goalkeeper, Western Michigan
Player of the Year:
Adam Najem, Midfielder, Akron
Freshman of the Year
Jonathan Lewis, Forward, Akron
Gary V. Palmisano Coach of the Year
from UBBulls.com via IFTTT