Patriot League Announces Men's Soccer Major Award Winners

Bucknell's O'Brien, Holy Cross' Dickinson, Colgate's Cappuccio, American's Makowski and West Take Home Honors

Nov. 13, 2008

Hamilton, N.Y.- The 2008 Patriot League men's soccer major award winners were announced at Thursday night's Patriot League Championship Banquet at Colgate University, the site of the Men's Soccer Tournament. Bucknell's Conor O'Brien was named Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year, while Defensive Player of the Year honors went to Holy Cross' Jerry Dickinson. The Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year award went to Colgate's David Cappuccio, while American's Matt Makowski was named Patriot League Rookie of the Year. Todd West of American was named Patriot League Head Coach of the Year for the second time.

O'Brien, a 2008 First-Team All-Patriot League selection, led the League in points this season with 22, and is tied for second in the League with teammate Chris Hennings with seven goals. The junior also leads the League in assists (8), and was a big factor in Bucknell leading the Patriot League in goals (34) and assists (30) this season. O'Brien was named to the Hermann Trophy Watch List earlier this season and earned one Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week award this season. O'Brien is the third Bison to be named Offensive Player of the Year; Mark Wrigley earned the honor in 1993, while Scott Visnic won it in 2003.

Holy Cross' Jerry Dickinson helped anchor a Holy Cross defense that went 4-1-2 in Patriot League play this season and shut out then-No. 13 Massachusetts and Boston College earlier in the year. The senior has been a team captain for the last three years, and earned Defensive Player of the Week honors from both the Patriot League and the ECAC. A Second-Team All-Patriot League selection from a year ago, Dickinson is a First-Team honoree this season. The senior is the third Holy Cross player to be tabbed Defensive Player of the Year. Bryant Clark (1993) and Rusty Guidici (2002) also earned the accolade.

Cappuccio had another stellar year minding the net for Colgate, and is tied for second in the League with six shutouts, three of which came in Patriot League play. The senior is the Raiders' career leader and third all-time in the Patriot League with 23 shutouts. Cappuccio is 14th in the nation in save percentage at 0.853, and is third in the League in both goals-against average (0/74) and saves (64). Cappuccio also earned Goalkeeper of the Year honors in 2006.

American's freshman net-minder Matt Makowski had a breakout year for the Eagles, becoming the third American player to take home Rookie of the Year honors for the program behind teammate Phil Purdy (2005) and Andrew Herman (2001). Makowski earned two Patriot League Goalkeeper and Rookie of the Week accolades each this season. The freshman is fifth in the Patriot League in goals-against average at 1.18 and is tied with Cappuccio for second in the League in shutouts with six.

American Head Coach Todd West led the Eagles to the No. 2 seed in this year's Tournament behind a 9-7-2 overall record and 5-1-1 Patriot League record. West's Eagles are second in the League in points (77), goals (27) and assists (23). This is his second Head Coach of the Year honor, as West also won the award in 2004.

The 2008 Patriot League Men's Soccer Tournament will get underway Friday afternoon. No. 4 Lafayette will face No. 1 Colgate at 4 p.m., while No. 3 Holy Cross will take on No. 2 American at 7 p.m. The winners of the two semifinal games will square off in the Championship match on Sunday at 1 p.m.

The 2008 Patriot League Men's Soccer Tournament will be streamed live for $9.95 via the Patriot League's All-Access Package. The commentary for the games will be provided by John McGraw. To access the Patriot League All-Access Package, please go to PatriotLeague.com.