As the 2023 NCAA soccer season comes to a close, let’s shine a light on the Vermont Green FC players who were decorated with individual honors:
Starting in our backyard, Vermont Green’s Catamount contingent were a force to be reckoned with, as the University of Vermont side remaining ranked top 20 nationally throughout most of their campaign. Zach Barrett and Yaniv Bazini were recognized in the America East First Team, with Vermont Green captain Jake Ashford earning Second Team honors. Bazini was also recognized for his efforts in the classroom with an All- Academic nod.
Staying in Vermont, Middlebury College’s success came with a bevy of goals from Jordan Saint-Louis, earning the striker First Team All-NESCAC honors. The Panthers have won their first two NCAA Division III National Tournament games, as Saint-Louis continues to shine.
Fans of Vermont Green will have become familiar with the Bluejays of Creighton University, where Giorgio Probo was recognized as the Co-Midfielder of the Year in the Big East along with a First Team nod, Alfie Pope and Mark O’Neill also secured a place in the conference’s Second Team. The Big East awards also featured Providence College star Gevork Diarbian on the Second Team.
Ivy Leaguers who call Virtue Field their summer home also come off strong seasons, with U Penn goalkeeper Nicholas Christoffersen earning both All Ivy First Team and All Ivy Academic accolades. Brown’s Jack Cloherty was nominated for the second team, and Taha Kina an honorable mention.
The Green’s number 10 Bilal Kamal was recognized in the America East First Team after a highlight reel season for the University of New Hampshire Wildcats.
In the Coastal Athletic Conference, Federico Tellez received First Team recognition for his stellar season with Northeastern, while William & Mary graduate student Alfredo Bozalongo earned Third Team honors.
Defensive stalwart Moussa Ndiaye and high-flying goalscorer Denis Krioutchenkov of Virginia Commonwealth and Davidson respectively both earned high recognition in the Atlantic 10 All Conference First Team. In the Southern Conference, Dylan Lane, a leader in his Furman squad, also received First Team recognition.
Last, but certainly not least, we look west to the University of Washington Huskies, where two Vermont Green players were given PAC-12 honors. Nate Jones on the First Team, and Chris Meyers on the Second.
In addition to individual honors, nine Vermont Green FC players from the 2023 squad earned berths in the NCAA National Tournament, eight in Division I and one in Division III. Jake Ashford, Daniel Pacella, Zach Barrett, Yaniv Bazini, and Eddie Vargas with the University of Vermont, Bilal Kamal with the University of New Hampshire, Zachary Zengue with Georgetown, and Felipe D’Agostini with defending champions Syracuse. Middlebury’s Jordan Saint-Louis has already won two matches in the Division III competition.
Vermont Green FC extends both heartfelt congratulations to all of our players as their seasons come to a close, and to those still competing–best of luck! All of us in Vermont will be watching. Go on, boys!
