Van Emelen named honorable mention All-Conference

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Huntingdon senior Brendon Van Emelen was named honorable mention All-Conference with the release of the USA South Athletic Conference's men's soccer awards on Friday.

Van Emelen is the first Huntingdon men's soccer player to be recognized since the Hawks joined the conference in 2013.

As a senior, Van Emelen set Huntingdon's single-season NCAA-era scoring record with 12 goals. He finished the season tied for second in the conference in goals scored.

In four seasons with the Hawks, he scored 21 goals and recorded eight assists. The 21 goals set a new record for Huntingdon in the NCAA era and the eight assists are second for the Hawks in the NCAA era.

Senior Zach den Besten was named to the All-Sportsmanship Team. This is the third straight year den Besten has received the recognition.

Maryville's Caleb Lucas was named the conference Player of the Year and North Carolina Wesleyan's Baboucarr Njie was named Rookie of the Year. Maryville's Pepe Fernandez was chosen as Coach of the Year.

The complete All-Conference awards are listed below.

USA South Men's Soccer All-Conference Awards

Player of the Year: Caleb Lucas, Maryville

Rookie of the Year: Baboucarr Njie, N.C. Wesleyan

Coach of the Year: Pepe Fernandez, Maryville

All-Conference

First-Team

Forward
Caleb Lucas, Maryville
Shamarr Perry, Ferrum
A.J. Wadda, N.C. Wesleyan

Midfielder
Tim Baker, Maryville 
Carlos Barragan, Greensboro
David Cuperman, Averett
Baboucarr Njie, N.C. Wesleyan

Defense
Drew Clukey, Greensboro
Thomas Palmer, Maryville
Drew Wiltse, N.C. Wesleyan

Goalkeeper
Ryan Jorgensen, Maryville

Second-Team

Forward
Olafur Einarsson, N.C. Wesleyan
Seth Harrison, Methodist
Bret Thomas, Maryville
Caetano Viegas, N.C. Wesleyan

Midfielder
Kobi Boompong, N.C. Wesleyan
Keith Ricks, Ferrum
Cody Vankerschaever, Maryville

Defense
Hayden Puryear, Maryville
Rahmel Stewart, Methodist
Cole Watkins, Greensboro

Goalkeeper
Alex Magner, N.C. Wesleyan 

Honorable Mention

Forward
Fredrik Aalberg, Methodist
Brendon Van Emelen, Huntingdon

Midfielder
Scott Fatyol, Greensboro
Gerry Madden, Methodist

Defense
Kristoffer Skarstein, Methodist
Thorfinnur Thorfinnsson, N.C. Wesleyan

Goalkeeper
Jonathan Moore, Methodist
Jaime Payamps, Greensboro 

All-Sportsmanship Team
Jake Searcy, Averett
Nate Mackey, Covenant
Roberto Cardoso, Ferrum
Drew Clukey, Greensboro
Zach den Besten, Huntingdon
Jonathan Mann, LaGrange
Kory Yarlett, Maryville
Walter Barnett, Methodist
Thorfinnur Thorfinnsson, N.C. Wesleyan
Cooper Donnelly, Piedmont
Phillip Peaden, William Peace