Behrend Men’s Soccer Announces 2024 Team Award Winners
The Penn State Behrend men’s soccer team has announced its team awards for the 2024 season as voted on by the players.
ERIE, Pa. – The Penn State Behrend men's soccer team has announced its team awards for the 2024 season as voted on by the players.
The Offensive Most Valuable Player went to senior Blake Cooper (Murrysville, PA/Franklin Regional). Cooper, an All-Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) First Team selection, led the team and tied for third in the AMCC in goals (10), while finishing fifth in the conference rankings in points (22). He tallied goals in six different contests, scoring a team-high two goals in a 3-0 win for Behrend against non-conference opponent Waynesburg. Cooper scored a second-half goal in the AMCC Semifinals against Mount Aloysius to force overtime and helped lead the team to an eventual victory.
The Defensive Most Valuable Player goes to senior Andrew Cassano (Bethel Park, PA/Bethel Park). Cassano, an All-AMCC First Team selection and United Soccer Coaches (USC) All-Region VII Third Team honoree this season, led the Lions defense to six shutouts in seven conference starts, five of which were victories. For the season, he started 16 games, ranking tied for first in the conference with two game-winners for four points. In the AMCC Championship game, Cassano delivered the deciding penalty kick score to give Behrend a 5-4 shootout win.
Sophomore Andy Jones (Girard, PA/Girard) notched the team's Most Improved Award. In 18 games played with two starts, Jones tallied one goal for two points.
The team's Sportsmanship Award was earned by senior Johnathan Swann (Allison Park, PA/North Allegheny). Swann, a Third Team All-Conference selection, started all 21 games and tallied three goals on 21 shots and three assists for nine points. Swann registered the game-winning goal in the conference semifinals, sending a bicycle kick into the back of the net with five minutes remaining in overtime.
Senior Chris Profaca (Basking Ridge, NJ/Ridge) secured the Tommy Sieg Inspirational Player Award. Profaca, a team captain this year, delivered three goals for six points in conference play, including the game-winning score at Penn State Altoona. In 21 games played, he finished third on the team with four goals and two assists for eight points. Profaca dished out assists on both Lions' goals against Mount Aloysius in the AMCC Semifinals.