EDISON, N.J. – The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) announced the 2016 major award winners, as voted upon by the league’s 11 head coaches, on Thursday evening. Niagara freshman midfielder Mackenzie Roach was one of 13 players named to the 2016 MAAC All-Rookie Team. Roach is the 11th Niagara player to earn All-Rookie Team accolades, and the first since Darren Cooper in 2012.
Roach led the Purple Eagles in total scoring during the 2016 campaign with seven points. Roach’s three assists were a team high for the season, and his two goals were tied for the team lead. Roach was named the MAAC Rookie of the Week on Aug. 29 after scoring two goals in a 4-0 season-opening win at Robert Morris on Aug. 26. He had assists in consecutive games versus Iona (Oct. 22) and at Marist (Oct. 26). Roach finished the season with 10 shots and four shots on goal.
The Purple Eagles also had seven players named to the 2016 MAAC Men’s Soccer All-Academic Team. Senior back Konrad Zydowicz, a 2016 CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree, was named to the MAAC All-Academic Team for a third straight season. Juniors Joel Gerberich, Sergio Lujan, Adel Rahman, and Navid Rahman were all named to the team for the second straight time. Redshirt-senior Fabrizio Chiari and sophomore Hector Solorio Villalpando also earned All-Academic honors.
To be eligible for the MAAC All-Academic Team, a student-athlete must complete two semesters at their institution and hold a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 on a 4.0 scale. Seven of Niagara’s 12 eligible players were named to this year’s MAAC All-Academic Team.
In Bill Boyle’s first season as the head coach of Niagara men’s soccer, the Purple Eagles finished the regular season ranked ninth in the MAAC after being selected 11th in the Preseason Coaches’ Poll. Niagara went 3-6-1 in conference play (4-11-2 overall), with wins over top-ranked Quinnipiac, Fairfield, and Manhattan.
from PurpleEagles.com via IFTTT
