Four Players Earn All-Conference Honors; Alex Lean Freshman of the Year

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – West Chester University's men's soccer program landed four players on the All-PSAC squad, in addition to Alex Lean (Newtown, Pa./Council Rock North) being named the PSAC Freshman of the Year. Lean becomes the first PSAC Freshman of the Year from West Chester since Matt Christian won the award back in 2002 while joining Erik Podbutzky, who was the only other Golden Rams player back in 1998, to be so honored by the conference. The freshman recorded four goals and four assists, equaling 12 points on the season, while appearing in 17 games with 15 starts for the Golden Rams. Earning a first-team nod was senior midfielder Tommy Ryan (Newtown Square, Pa./Marple Newton)and back Christian Benner (Tedford, Pa./Souderton). Ryan was the leading goal scorer with six tallies on the season while also recording three assists, which made him the leading point scorer with 15 as well. Defensively, Benner played a significant role in the five team shutouts this season, in addition to registering a goal for two points. Being placed on the second-team were sophomore Miguel Ross (Pottstown, Pa./Pottstown) and freshman goalkeeper Matt Palmer (Bangor, Pa./Bangor). Ross recorded three goals and three assists, including a PSAC record that occurred on October 22 against Pitt-Johnstown. West Chester's Ross raced down the field and registered the first goal of the game, 11 seconds in, becoming the fastest goal from the start of a game in PSAC history. Palmer was the main goalkeeper for the Golden Rams, finishing up with a 9-5 record that consisted of four shutouts.The freshman started in 15 games, making 68 saves, and only surrendering 18 goals for a save percentage of .791. West Chester's season came to an end last Friday in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference semifinals, falling to seventh-ranked Mercyhurst, 2-1, in a double overtime contest.