Davis Paves Way for Six Men’s Soccer All-GNAC Nods

BOSTON – After enjoying its most successful season in seven years, the Suffolk men's soccer team had six student-athletes named to the All-GNAC teams, including GNAC Rookie of the Year Jarrett Davis. 

Senior Alberto Bittan was named to the first team, sophomore Jordan Casey and senior Ben Daniels were named to the second squad, while Davis and Christian Restrepo earned third team nods in their freshmen debuts. Alex Ypsilantis, meanwhile, was named to the all-sportsmanship team, which was established to honor one player from ach team in the conference for outstanding dedication to sportsmanship and for their portrayal of good sportsmanship, fair play and positive attitude. The six Rams named to the league's teams are the most in Suffolk's history. 

The conference recognition comes on the heels of a 9-10 overall season and a 6-3 league ledger, which marks the most conference victories since Suffolk joined the GNAC in 1999. 

Bittan kept Suffolk in games early on recording a point in six of the first seven games. Though he missed some time in the middle of the year due to injury, he picked up right where he left off, notching a point in half of the remaining eighth games to finish his senior campaign with team and conference best numbers in goals (16) and points (36). The three-time GNAC Corvias Player of the Week's electric speed and vision through the midfield pushed him as one of not just New England's best forward's, but the nation's. Bittan, who earned a spot on the GNAC All-Tournament team as well, ranks in the top-six across New England in all scoring categories and nearly the top-25 in NCAA DIII, most notably his goals and shots on goal per game sit second in New England and seventh and eighth, respectively, in the nation. 

Casey also enjoyed a standout season, piling in career best's numbers in goals (5) and assists (5) for 15 points en route to his first conference accolade of his career. The midfielder from East Hampton, Connecticut, powered Suffolk to its third ever GNAC semifinal with a four-point day, scoring both goals, in No. 4 Suffolk's 2-0 shutout quarterfinals win over No. 5. Albertus Magnus to pick up an all-tournament team spot. 

Daniels, the lynchpin of the stingy Suffolk back line, was brilliant in the Suffolk box, heading away set piece after set piece to lead Suffolk to a team 2.5 goals-against average. The honor marks the co-captains third of his career and highest mark after earning spots on the third team in 2014 and 2015, respectively. 

Davis takes home the Rookie of the Year and third team honors after a stellar freshman campaign with a league-leading nine assists to go along with three goals and 15 points. He is the third Ram to collect Rookie of the Year honors and first since Danny Lloyd did so in 2008.  The Loudon, New Hampshire local, who was named GNAC Corvias Rookie of the Week twice, total assist rank ninth across New England and land just outside the Top-25 in NCAA DIII at 32. 

Restrepo, who hails from Everett, Massachusetts, was the only Ram to play in all 19 games this fall and started 18. The one-time GNAC Corvias Rookie of the Week racked up 13 points on four goals and five assists to secure a spot on the conference's third team.

2016 All-GNAC MEN'S SOCCER

First Team
F – Jacob Zimmerman, Norwich
F – Brett Mattos, Saint Joseph's (Maine)
F – Alberto Bittan, Suffolk
M – Jason Cruz,
M – Colin Lozito, Norwich
M – Moab Schiers, Norwich
M – JoJo Strobino, Saint Joseph's (Maine)
B – Alexis Garcia-Romero, Albertus Magnus
B – Xavier Carty, Johnson & Wales
B – Dalton Gaumer, Saint Joseph's (Maine)
GK – Blake Mullen, Saint Joseph's (Maine)

Second Team
F – Alex Zapata, Albertus Magnus
F – Colin O'Donnell, Emmanuel
F – Juan Brenes, Mount Ida
M – Matt Mueller, Albertus Magnus
M – Alex Armstrong, Rivier
M – Rory Twomey, Saint Joseph's (Maine)
M – Jordan Casey, Suffolk
B – Matt Mazzola, Norwich
B – Kyle Gambeski, Rivier
B – Ben Daniels, Suffolk
GK – Billy Whaley, Norwich

Third Team
F – Justyn Broderick, Albertus Magnus
F – Michael Russo, Rivier
F – Christian Restrepo, Suffolk
M – Ritchy Jean Pierre, Albertus Magnus
M – Derrick Casey, Anna Maria
M – Travis Cole, Emmanuel
M – Jarrett Davis, Suffolk
B – Ben Colter, Albertus Magnus
B – Robert Hayman, Johnson & Wales
B – Noah Robinson, Saint Joseph's (Maine)
GK – Jon Robbins, Johnson & Wales 

Offensive Player of the Year – Jacob Zimmerman, Norwich
Defensive Player of the Year – Xavier Carty, Johnson & Wales
Rookie of the Year – Jarrett Davis, Suffolk
Goalkeeper of the Year – Blake Mullen, Saint Joseph's (Maine)
Coach of the Year – Adrian Dubois, Saint Joseph's (Maine)
Institutional Sportsmanship Award – Norwich University

All-Sportsmanship Team
Milton Calderon, Albertus Magnus 
Ryan Todesco, Anna Maria
Zach Foley, Emmanuel 
Robert Hayman, Johnson & Wales 
Jonathan Sutton, Lasell 
Julio Barroso, Mount Ida 
Chandler Neiswanger, Norwich
Kyle Gambeski, Rivier 
Sean Baker, Saint Joseph's (Maine)
Alex Ypsilantis, Suffolk 

All-Tournament Team
Blake Mullen, Saint Joseph's (Maine) (MVP)
Dalton Gaumer, Saint Joseph's (Maine)
Rory Twomey, Saint Joseph's (Maine)
Noah Robinson, Saint Joseph's (Maine)
Jacob Zimmerman, Noriwch
Matt Mazzola, Norwich
Moab Schiers, Norwich
Xavier Carty, Johnson & Wales
Jason Cruz, Johnson & Wales
Alberto Bittan, Suffolk
Jordan Casey, Suffolk