BUFFALO — After closing out one of the most successful seasons in program history, the University at Buffalo men’s soccer team saw multiple players earn recognition by the Buffalo News on Tuesday. Senior Russell Cicerone was named Big 4 Offensive Player of the Year while head coach Stu Riddle earned Big 4 Coach of the Year honors.
“It’s always nice to receive recognition for a very good season,” stated fourth-year head coach Stu Riddle. “I am very pleased personally and for the players for this recognition. These five players are all very deserving of these accolades and the Player of the Year award will be a big boost for Russell ahead of the MLS combine next week in California.”
The Bulls saw five players earn spots on the Big 4 Best XI according to the Buffalo News as Cicerone, Daniel Cramarossa, Fox Slotemaker, David Enstrom and Joseph Kuta all had great seasons for UB.
Cicerone, likely the first MLS draftee in UB history, was named Offensive Player of the Year and he earned a spot on the Big 4 best XI after closing out his career as one of the best to lace up his cleats for Buffalo. The graduating senior closed out his impressive UB career being the only four-time First-Team All-MAC performer after accumulating 42 goals, 22 assists and 106 points. His 22 assists rank first in program history while his goal and point totals are second in program history.
Riddle earned Coach of the Year honors after doing a tremendous job with his core of returning players. The fourth-year head coach became the first coach in program history to lead his squad to back-to-back MAC CHampionship matches while falling just short both times to national power Akron. Riddle led the Bulls to an impressive 12-4-3 record as the Bulls closed out the season at 47 in the RPI polls, highest end of the season RPI in program history. Riddle has accumulated 20 wins over his last two seasons in Buffalo, the most wins over a two-year span since 2007-08.
Midfielder Daniel Cramarossa earned a spot on the best XI after another strong season for the Bulls in 2016. The senior finished off his career starting all 19 matches while netting three assists and 16 shots on the year. The crafty midfielder made his presence felt all over the field with his flashy footwork with the ball and his quickness.
Slotemaker earned a spot on the team after finishing off his junior season starting 17 of 18 games for the Bulls. The gritty defender was a force on the back line for UB as they were able to secure a program record 10 clean sheets and allowing just 0.86 goals-against. The New Zealand native also chipped in with a pair of assists off of corner kicks this season.
Enstrom, First Team All-MAC performer, rightfully earned a spot on the team after the best season of his young UB career. The junior started all 19 games on the back line while chipping in with two goals and two assists for six points. The Sweden native recorded the biggest goal of his career in the MAC semifinals as he scored the game-winning goal in the 94th minute to send UB to their second straight MAC Championship Game. Enstrom helped UB secure a program record 10 clean sheets while playing 1,693 minutes on the season.
Kuta also earned a spot on the squad after a strong season between the pipes for the Bulls. The junior closed out his season with a 12-4-3 record to go along with a 0.86 goals-against average, .805 save percentage and a program record 10 shutouts. The Mississaugua, Ontario native finished the season with 70 saves while ranking first in shutouts, second in save percentage and third in goals-against average in the MAC.
from UBBulls.com via IFTTT
