YORK, PA – The York College men’s soccer team received outstanding news this week, as six Spartans were selected to All-South Region squad according to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
     The green and white registered five first-team bids on this season’s regional team. Seniors Kyle Marks (Yardley, Pa./Pennsbury), Chris Ports (Baltimore, Md./John Carroll), and Evan Scheffey (Lititz, Pa./Warwick) joined junior Jon Ports (Baltimore, Md./McDonogh) and freshman Kemal Nuspahic (East Petersburg, Pa./Warwick) on the first squad while sophomore Lucas Emil (Parsippany, N.J./Morris Catholic) landed on the second-team.
     Marks posted a brilliant senior campaign, recording a superb 0.13 goals against average over his 1,371 minutes and 43 seconds of action. Credited with nine shutouts on the year, Marks’ extensive experience and top-notch athleticism combined to help make him the region’s top goalkeeper this season.
     Chris Ports put together another solid campaign as he completed one of the best careers in Spartan soccer history. The fifth-year senior tallied 19 points on eight goals and three assists this season, providing the York side with an ever-dangerous attacking presence. He leaves the program as one of the best assists-men in program history, ranking second in career helpers with 34.
     Scheffey’s brilliance came not in statistics but in leadership and stout defensive play. A three-year starter in York’s backline, Scheffey’s was the catalyst for a tough Spartan defense with his hard-working, blue-collar style and vocal leadership. Scheffey’s play helped the Spartans to the best goals against average in Division III, 0.15 per game, surrendering a mere three scores all season.
     Jon Ports backed up his All-American performance in 2007 with another great campaign in 2008. The two-time Capital Athletic Conference Player-of-the-Year notched eleven goals and ten assists this season solidifying his stature as one of the nation’s top players. His unrelenting motor combined with excellent technical skill and creativity gave the Spartans yet another dynamic attacking presence in 2008.
     Nuspahic burst onto the scene in 2008, notching eleven goals and six assists for 28 points. Of the freshman’s eleven scores, eight were game-winning tallies. His combination of solid technical ability, flair, and simply a nose for the goal allowed Nuspahic to become one of the top rookies in the country.
     Emil garners a second-team nod after a sensational sophomore year. The central midfielder played in and started all 20 contests in 2008, recording 16 points on six goals and four assists. Extremely talented with the ball at his feet, Emil created numerous scoring opportunities for the Spartan side in addition to his spectacular ability on set pieces.
     “I am so proud of each of these young men,” Spartan Head Coach Mark Ludwig said. “They each brought different things to the table to help us have the success we had this season. But as I always say, with team success comes individual accolades. Every player deserves recognition for our team accomplishments as they all put in the hard work that was asked of them this year.”

COMPLETE NSCAA ALL-SOUTH REGION SQUAD

Chris Ports photo courtesy of Scott Guise