CANISIUS COLLEGE ATHLETICS
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Canisius freshman defender Alessio Atzori has been named to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference’s Men’s Soccer All-Rookie Team, league officials announced Tuesday.
Atzori becomes the 12th player in program history to be named to the league’s all-rookie team and second in as many seasons, joining current sophomore Filippo Tamburini, who was an all-rookie team selection in 2017.
A native of Perugia, Italy, Atzori started all 15 games played during his freshman campaign, helping the Canisius backline post five shutouts during the 2018 campaign.
Atzori also chipped in offensively, recording the game-winning goal in the Griffs’ season-opening victory at Robert Morris and pitching in an assist in Canisius’ 4-0 win against “Battle of the Bridge” rival Niagara.
The MAAC also announced its All-Academic Team. Canisius placed 10 student-athletes on the list as seniors Bjarki Benediktsson, Mo Kretschmer, Evan Walsh and Hunter Walsh and sophomores Deo Awuok, Vince Cancilla,Wes Rider, Nick Szabo and Filippo Tamburini were all recognized. The 10 student-athletes honored placed the Griffs in a three-way tie with Iona and Quinnipiac for second most in the conference.
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.
