Nov. 10, 2015

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Seven South Carolina men’s soccer students earned honors from the Conference USA coaches, as the league announced its season awards on Tuesday morning. Junior Danny Deakin claimed a first-team All-C-USA spot, with two Gamecocks each making the second, third and all-freshman teams.

Making the all-conference second team was senior forward Kevin Walker and junior defender Koty Millard, while senior forward Jeffrey Torda and junior defender Ive Burnett made the third team. Gamecock center defenders Peyton Ericson and Torgeir Nyboe garnered C-USA All-Freshman Team accolades. The seven individuals honored are the most for a Gamecock team since 2008, when eight earned awards.

Deakin ranked fourth in C-USA with four goals scored in league play, leading the Gamecocks in that category. Two of his goals counted as game-winners. Walker had three goals, while four of Millard’s assists came in league play. Torda also tallied two game-winners in C-USA action as part of his four on the season, while he led the Gamecocks with 10 shots on goals.

South Carolina’s back four of Burnett, Nyboe, Ericson and Millard helped the team to a 6-2 C-USA record, two shutouts and a 0.86 goals against average, which ranked third in conference play.

Kentucky’s Callum Irving claimed three of the league’s individual awards for the second-straight year, as he was named C-USA Player of the Year and Defensive MVP while taking the Golden Glove award for seven shutouts. Charlotte’s Kyle Parker took the Offensive MVP and Golden Boot awards, tallying a league-best seven goals in conference play. Old Dominion’s Niko Klosterhalfen was recognized as the league’s Freshman of the Year, while the Coach of the Year award went to both FIU’s Scott Calabrese and Kentucky’s Johan Cedergren.

The Conference USA Tournament begins on Wednesday at host Charlotte’s Transamerica Field. The Gamecocks, seeded third in the event, play in the second match of the day against sixth-seeded New Mexico at 4:30 p.m. EST.

2015 Conference USA Men’s Soccer Awards

All-Conference USA First Team
GK Callum Irving, Kentucky
D Marvin Nezel, FIU
D Jordan Wilson, Kentucky
D Michael Nelson, Old Dominion
M Brandt Bronico, Charlotte
M Napo Matsoso, Kentucky
M Chris Wehan, New Mexico
M Ivan Militar, Old Dominion
M Danny Deakin, South Carolina
F Kyle Parker, Charlotte
F Ian Svantsesson, UAB

All-Conference USA Second Team
GK Alex Tiesenhausen, Old Dominion
D Nick Edginton, Marshall
D Chris Gurule, New Mexico
D Koty Millard, South Carolina
M Max Rodriguez, Charlotte
M Daniel Gonzalez, FIU
M Ismael Longo, FIU
F Luis Betancur, FIU
F Stefan Stojkovic, Kentucky
F Rimario Gordon, Marshall
F Niko Hansen, New Mexico
F Kevin Walker, South Carolina
F Freddy Ruiz, UAB

All-Conference USA Third Team
GK Austin Pack, Charlotte
D Matej Dekovic, Charlotte
D Josh Goss, New Mexico
D David Macsicza, Old Dominion
D Ive Burnett, South Carolina
M Kristoffer Tollefsen, Kentucky
M Josh Dye, New Mexico
M Cole Stringer, Old Dominion
F Thomas Gallitz, Florida Atlantic
F Jesse Miralrio, Old Dominion
F Jeffrey Torda, South Carolina

Conference USA All-Freshman Team
Tommy Maddon, M, Charlotte
Callum Montgomery, D, Charlotte
Steffen Bohm, D, FIU
Douglas Landvik, M, Florida Atlantic
Tanner Hummel, D, Kentucky
Xahne Reid, M, Kentucky
Francesco Casucci, M, New Mexico
Patrick Khouri, M, New Mexico
Niko Klosterhalfen, M, Old Dominion
Jack Willbye, M, Old Dominion
Peyton Ericson, D, South Carolina
Torgeir Nyboe, D, South Carolina

Player of the Year: Callum Irving, Kentucky
Offensive MVP: Kyle Parker, Charlotte
Defensive MVP: Callum Irving, Kentucky
Freshman of the Year: Niko Klosterhalfen, Old Dominion
Golden Boot (most goals): Kyle Parker, Charlotte
Golden Glove (most shutouts): Callum Irving, Kentucky
Coach(es) of the Year: Scott Calabrese, FIU, & Johan Cedergren, Kentucky