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Health & Fitness

Applefield, Lanahan land on All-UAA Mens's Soccer team

WALTHAM, Mass. – The Brandeis University men's soccer team had a school-record seven players named to the 2013 All-University Athletic Association (UAA) team this season. Seniors Ben Applefield of Avon, Conn., and Sam Ocel of North Attleboro, Mass. were both first-team selections, while senior Kyle Feather of Pinebrook, N.J., and sophomore Connor Lanahan of Avon, Conn. were both named to the second team.

Juniors Joe Graffy of Concord, N.H.Tyler Savonen of Orleans, Mass. and Michael Soboff of Framingham, Mass. were selected as All-UAA honorable mentions.

Applefield led the UAA with nine assists this season, finishing with the fourth-highest point total on the Judges despite playing left back. The senior had two goals on the season, including the game-winner in a 4-0 win at Case Western Reserve University on Oct. 5. He was a UAA honorable mention last year.

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Ocel was the UAA MVP as well as a first-team selection last season, but played more of a defensive role for the Judges this season. The super senior – Ocel took the spring semester off so that he could use his fourth season of eligibility – finished with three goals and three assists on the campaign. He has 26 goals and 22 assists in his career, leaving him 12th all time on the Brandeis career scoring list.

Feather earned second-team UAA honors for the second season in a row. The senior finished led the conference in points per game, and his eight goals and five assists were both top 10 in the UAA, a feat he also accomplished last year. He has 65 points in his career, 17th all time.

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Lanahan had big shoes to fill in his first season as a starter. The sophomore replaced Joe Eisenbies, a first-team All-UAA selection last season and the heart of the Brandeis defense. Lanahan performed admirably, scoring twice and leading a back line that tied for a league-best nine shutouts.

Brandeis had a player on each line earn honorable mentions. Graffy, a keeper, tied for first in the UAA with six shutouts. His 0.99 goals against average and 50 saves were both third best in the conference.

Savonen, a forward, tied for first in the UAA in goals (10) and tied for second in points (23). The junior finished the campaign on a tear, recording three goals and an assist in Brandeis' final two games to help the Judges reach the NCAA Tournament. Savonen now has 24 goals in just three seasons of play at Brandeis and already has the 19th most points in Brandeis history.

Soboff was the furthest midfielder up the pitch for most of the season, and the junior transfer from Rutgers University made the most of his opportunities, finishing second in the conference with eight assists. Soboff scored five goals, including three game-winners, tied for best in the UAA.

The Judges are 14-4-1 in their 41st season under head coach Michael Coven. The Judges qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the second season in a row, and will host Johnson and Wales at 5 p.m. tomorrow in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The winner of that game and the tilt between Roger Williams and Rutgers Newark will play on Sunday at 5 p.m. for the right to advance to the Sweet 16.

For more information about Brandeis men's soccer, please visit http://brandeisjudges.com/sports/msoc/index

 

Applefield is a 2010 graduate of Avon High School. He is the son of Dean and Deb Applefield, Avon, Conn.

Ocel is a 2009 graduate of No. Attleboro, Mass. He is the son of Jeffrey and Pamela Ocel, No. Attleboro, Mass.

Feather is a 2010 graduate of Montville Township High School. He is the son of Lawrence and Barbara Feather, Pinebrook, N.J.

Lanahan is a 2012 graduate of Avon High School. He is the son of Dennis and Kelley Lanahan, Avon, Conn.

Graffy is a 2011 graduate of Concord High School. He is the son of Robert Graffy and Paula Hurley, Concord, N.H.

Savonen is a 2011 graduate of Nauset Regional. He is the son of Douglas Robby Savonen, Orleans, Mass.

Soboff is a 2008 graduate of Newton South. He is the son of David Soboff and Sonya Merian, Framingham, Mass.


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