|
| Conference MVP B.J. Gottschlich |
Posted November 20, 2009
University of Wisconsin-Platteville junior B.J. Gottschlich earned the first Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference "Player of the Year" Award and was joined on the inaugural all-confrence first team by three teammates.
Gottschlich, Chris Brown, Mitch Cornelius, and Dustin Wiskes were first team selections, and Dan Howard made the sportsmanship team in the new league. The WIAC admitted Finlandia (Mich.) for men's soccer, joining UW-Platteville, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Superior and UW-Whitewater and giving the league five teams.
The Pioneers were 9-8-3 overall and 2-0-2 in league play, beating UW-Superior and Finlandia and tying both Oshkosh and Whitewater. UWW won the league crown with a 3-0-1 record.
Gottschlich is a forward from Colgate (Germantown High School) who led the Pioneers with 11 goals and 10 assists. He scored in both the Whitewater and Oshkosh ties and had two game-winning goals during the season. In only his third year, Gottschlich ranks ninth in Pioneer history with 21 assists and 10th in goals (28) and total points (77). Of his 28 goals, nine have been game-winners.
Brown (Jr., McFarland) had five goals and five assists, despite missing six games due to injury. His biggest goal may have come early in the season at Loras, as the Pioneers tied the fourth-ranked Duhawks 1-1.
Cornelius (Jr., Decorah, Iowa) started all 20 games in the midfield position, netting five goals and three assists. The Pioneers were 5-0 when he scored.
Wiskes (Soph., Oregon) was one of four Pioneers to start all 20 contests and one of two underclassmen to do so. He helped the defense hold opponents to a 1.06 goals-against average during the season. UWP outscored its opponents 47-22.
Howard (Sr., Racine/St. Catherine's) was one of the Pioneers' co-captains. He played in 19 games, starting 14, and scored one goal and two assists.
The Pioneers were led by Allison Sanyi, who was the acting head coach after Enzo Fuschino suffered a heart attack Aug. 1. Fuschino returned to work on Nov. 2.
Name, School, Year, Position, Hometown (High School)
Paul Beach, Oshkosh, Senior, Midfielder, Prairie du Sac (Sauk Prairie)
Jon Bell, Superior, Junior, Defender, Pike Lake, Minn.
Jack Borski, Oshkosh, Junior, Defender, Madison (West)
Brandon Briones, Oshkosh, Junior, Forward, Menasha
Chris Brown, Platteville, Sophomore, Midfielder, McFarland
Luke Buchholz, Whitewater, Junior, Forward, Whitewater
Tim Carron, Finlandia, Sophomore, Forward, Saint Claire Shores, Mich.
Mitch Cornelius, Platteville, Junior, Midfielder, Decorah, Iowa
Mason Eddy, Oshkosh, Senior, Defender, Oneida (Pulaski)
Tom Fitzer, Superior, Junior, Goalkeeper, Center City, Minn.
Matt Gehn, Whitewater, Senior, Midfielder, Oregon
B.J. Gottschlich, Platteville, Junior, Forward, Colgate (Germantown)
Will Howell, Oshkosh, Senior, Midfielder, Waunakee (Home Schooled)
Andrew Krueger, Whitewater, Sophomore, Goalkeeper, New Berlin (Catholic Memorial)
Dan Montanye, Whitewater, Junior, Midfielder, Mukwonago
Steve Nashleanas, Whitewater, Junior, Defender, Brookfield (East)
Eric Nilsen, Superior, Sophomore, Forward, Duluth, Minn.
Ryan Richgels, Whitewater, Junior, Defender, Madison (Memorial)
Thomas Shuldheisz, Superior, Sophomore, Midfielder, Andover, Minn.
Dan Warnke, Superior, Sophomore, Defender, Burnsville, Minn.
Will Williams, Finlandia, Senior, Forward, Romulus, Mich.
Dustin Wiskes, Platteville, Sophomore, Defender, Oregon
All-Sportsmanship Team
Mason Eddy, Oshkosh, Senior, Defender, Oneida (Pulaski)
Matt Gehn, Whitewater, Senior, Midfielder, Oregon
Jack Hajewski, Superior, Senior, Defender, River Falls
Dan Howard, Platteville, Senior, Midfielder, Racine (St. Catherine’s)
Nic Polzin, Finlandia, Senior, Midfielder, Duluth, Minn.
Player of the Year: B.J. Gottschlich of Platteville
Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete: Paul Beach of Oshkosh
Coach of the Year: Greg Henschel of Whitewater