November 13, 2008

YORK, PA – The York College men’s soccer team received great news Thursday as eight Spartans were selected as All-Capital Athletic Conference performers for the 2008 campaign, with six landing on the first team. The green and white also received the conference’s Player-of-the-Year, which a Spartan has won for the past three seasons, and the Rookie-of-the-Year honors.
     Junior Jon Ports (Baltimore, Md./McDonogh) was chosen as the league’s Player-of-the-Year for the second time in as many seasons, only the second men’s soccer player in the history of the CAC to achieve back-to-back Player-of-the-Year awards. Ports was nothing short of fantastic for the green and white this year, leading the Spartans with 32 points on eleven goals and ten assists. His unique skill and technical ability combined with an unrelenting motor has made Ports one of the top players in the country, further evidenced by his first-team NSCAA All-American selection in 2007.
     “He does so much for us,” Spartan head coach Mark Ludwig says of Ports. “He is one of those players that can truly play anywhere on the field and find success. It is great to see him get this recognition.”
     Kemal Nuspahic (East Petersburg, Pa./Warwick), another first-team choice, captured the Rookie-of-the-Year award posting one of the best freshman campaigns in program history. Gifted with a nose for the goal, he swiftly became one of the most dangerous attacking threats in all of Division III, tallying eleven scores with eight of those goals being game-winners. The rookie also distributed six helpers for a total of 28 points.
     “Kemal started doing big things for us right away,” Ludwig said. “The young man just knows how to score goals. He puts himself in the right place at the right time and is a great finisher.”
     Senior Chris Ports (Baltimore, Md./John Carroll) lands on the all-conference first-team for an unprecedented fourth time in his career. Ports is the first York College men’s soccer player to have been an All-CAC first-team selection in each of his four seasons of eligibility. The fifth-year senior tallied eight goals and three assists for 19 points this season giving the Spartans an incredibly talented and thoroughly experienced player in the attack. Ports has the ability to take on defenders while also possessing great field vision to find open teammates. In addition to his four All-CAC first-team accolades, Ports was also the league’s Rookie-of-the-Year in 2004 and an NSCAA first-team All-American in 2006.
     “Chris’ combination of ability and experience are great assets to our program,” Ludwig said. “He has seen a lot of success during his time here but he has experienced some hardships as well. It is truly outstanding to get to see him receive this honor.”
     Fellow senior Evan Scheffey (Lititz, Pa./Warwick) nabs his third All-CAC first-team bid as he has led the Spartan defense to one of the best defensive seasons in program history. The senior co-captain’s work in the central defense has spearheaded a unit that has allowed a paltry three goals all season for an average of 0.15, the best goals against mark in all of Division III. Scheffey’s ability in the backline to thwart opposing attacks and organize the Spartan defense is second only to his first-class leadership both on and off the field.
     “Evan is not only a quality soccer player, but he is quality person,” Ludwig said. “He is the type of athlete that you want to be your team’s captain. His work in and with the defensive unit this year has been marvelous, while his efforts to lead have been simply fantastic.”
     All-CAC first-team goalkeeper Kyle Marks (Yardley, Pa./Pennsbury) is another one of the reasons why the York defense has been so strong this season. The Spartan senior co-captain has started 17 of his 18 games played, recording 1,261 minutes and 43 seconds between the pipes. With Marks in goal, opponents have only scored twice all season, while he sports a .944 save percentage and eight shutouts. In addition to this season’s accolade Marks was the league’s Rookie-of-the-Year in 2005, a first-team choice in 2006, and a second-team selection in 2007.
     “Kyle has definitely stepped up his game this season,” Ludwig said. “His hard work over the off-season and into this year has shown throughout the year. He communicates extremely well, cuts off dangerous opportunities, and can make big saves.”
     Sophomore standout Lucas Emil (Parsippany, N.J./Morris Catholic) makes his initial appearance on the All-CAC first-team. Playing in and starting all 19 York contests this year, Emil notched six goals and four assists for 16 points. His brilliant play in the midfield provides numerous scoring opportunities for the green and white while he can be deadly on set pieces.
     “Lucas has really improved from last season to this one,” Ludwig said. “He came in much more comfortable with a much better idea of how to play at this level. He is a gifted player who can make good things happen.”
     Junior Aaron Good (Elizabethtown, Pa./Elizabethtown Area) finds his name on the All-CAC list, as he was chosen to the league’s second team. Listed as a forward, Good has found time all over the pitch for the green and white. After transferring from Division I Old Dominion University, Good has scored twice and recorded six assists in his 15 games. His strong, fast play has added yet another dimension to the Spartan lineup.
     “Aaron brings a lot to the table,” Ludwig said. “He’s quick, tough, and has the ability to make plays. He can play up front, in the midfield, and has even seen time in the back. To bring the quality he has and combine it with a willingness to play anywhere on the field has definitely helped our squad this season.”
     Trey Good (Narvon, Pa./Pequea Valley) lands on the All-CAC second-team after transferring from Division I Loyola. A tough athlete, Good has found a home on the left side of the Spartan defense, becoming a key cog in the vaunted unit. The sophomore defender poses a tough adversary for opposing attackers as he combines great size and strength with quickness and skill.
     “Trey has done a fantastic job in filling a big void for us this season,” Ludwig said about Good playing the left back position. “He can shut down opponents’ attacks and quickly transition us into our own attack. It is great to see him get recognized for his workmanlike contributions.”
     In addition to the eight All-CAC players, the Spartans are loaded with individual talent throughout their roster. This individual talent has culminated in a strong team effort that does not go unnoticed by Ludwig.
     “The reason we had eight players on the All-CAC teams is because we have 31 outstanding players who have combined to make this a quality team. As I have said before, with team success comes individual honors and I strongly believe that is the case here.”
     Ludwig and the Spartans will look to continue that team success this Sunday in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. York will host Johns Hopkins University, who the Spartans topped 1-0 back on September 10, at 1:00 pm at Graham Field.
     “Just because we beat them earlier this season, that doesn’t mean anything now,” Ludwig said. “We are in a new season now. It is win or go home.” 

COMPLETE MEN'S SOCCER ALL-CAC RELEASE