By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Fort Hays State men’s soccer coaching staff has been selected as the NCAA Division II Men’s Soccer Central Region Staff of the Year after another successful campaign in 2019, announced Wednesday (Dec. 4) by the United Soccer Coaches. Head coach Gerry Cleary adds another honor to his collection after being named GAC/MIAA Coach of the Year, while assistants Jordan Melia and Luca Anelli earned the recognition for the second year in a row.
The Tigers finished the season 13-6-2, qualifying for the NCAA Division II Men’s Soccer Championship for the eighth year in a row, the longest active streak in the country. Fort Hays State clinched a regular season conference title for the second year in a row, winning the GAC/MIAA with a conference record of 11-2-1. Fort Hays State did not drop a home match for the third year in a row, stretching its unbeaten streak to 27 matches at FHSU Soccer Stadium.
Seven Tigers picked up All-GAC/MIAA honors, including Offensive Player of the Year Santiago Agudelo, Defender of the Year Sergio Villalba and Freshman of the Year Alec Bevis. First team selections went to Agudelo, Villalba and Rogelio Lopez. Six players earned a spot on the D2CCA All-Region team, led by Central Region Player of the Year Santiago Agudelo. Agudelo, Villalba and Lopez were all named first team all-region performers. Moritz Walther was named a CoSIDA Academic All-American, the first such honor in program history.
Anelli, Melia and head coach Brett Parker represented Fort Hays State as the regional Staff of the Year in 2018.
Each of the staffs receiving Regional Staff of the Year honors will be recognized at the College Coaches Awards Reception on Jan. 16, 2019 at the United Soccer Coaches Convention in Baltimore.