ROCK HILL, S.C. --- Five Tusculum College student-athletes have been named to the 2014 All-South Atlantic Conference Men's Soccer Team announced league officials Wednesday.
Forward Roberto Pimentel was named to the All-SAC first team, while forward Jonathan Spicher and defender Guillermo Lazcano garnered second team honors. Midfielder Matias Rubio and goalkeeper Jorge Alvarez received honorable mention recognition.
Tusculum (10-6-2) upset third-seeded Carson-Newman, 2-1 in Tuesday's SAC Tournament quarterfinal in Jefferson City, Tennessee. The Pioneers, the No. 6 seed in the tournament, advance to Friday's semifinal in Rock Hill, South Carolina against second-seeded Mars Hill University at 7 p.m. from Manchester Meadows.
Pimentel, a senior from Campinas, Brazil, leads the Pioneers with his 10 goals, which are the second most in the conference. Pimentel garners All-SAC recognition for a second straight season and third time in his career. He was tabbed to the All-SAC second team in 2011 and garnered honorable mention recognition last season. He is also second in the league in points (21) and his 58 shots are the second most in the SAC. In his TC career, Pimentel has accounted for 22 goals, eight assists for his 52 points. He has scored six match-winning goals, which are tied for the seventh most in program history.
Spicher, a sophomore from Cologne, Germany, leads the league with his four match-winning goals, including Tuesday's game-winner in the 88th minute versus Carson-Newman in the SAC Tournament opener. Spicher is currently tied for third in the conference with his seven goals, while his 16 points at eighth in the league. He has scored in three of his last five matches, including the game-winner against North Greenville. In his Tusculum career, he has scored 12 goals with four assists for his 28 total points.
Lazcano, a freshman from Aviles, Spain, has played in 16 matches, while anchoring a defensive back line that has accounted for six shutouts and a 0.91 team goals against average. Offensively, he has scored one goal while taking 15 shots, including four on frame.
Rubio, a senior midfielder from El Salvador earns All-Conference recognition for the second time in his career. The 2011 All-SAC and All-Region selection has dished out three assists in his 14 matches this season. In his 58-match career, Rubio has scored two goals with three assists for his seven points.
Alvarez, a sophomore from Gijon, Spain, currently leads the SAC in goals against average (0.87) and save percentage (.780). In his 10 matches in goal, he has posted a 7-2-1 record with 32 saves and four shutouts (4th in SAC). His seven victories are second in the conference.
The Pioneers head to Rock Hill riding a four-match winning streak, while posting a 7-1-1 record in their last nine outings. Tusculum is also listed ninth in this week's NSCAA Southeast Region rankings.
- TC -
2014 All-South Atlantic Conference Men's Soccer Team
First Team
F - Charlie Machell, Wingate
F - Roberto Pimentel, Tusculum
F - Andre Carle, Anderson
F - Leonardo Da silva, Lincoln Memorial
MF - Alex Mullen, Mars Hill
MF - Shaun Gadsby, Wingate
MF - Ben Jones, Lenoir-Rhyne
MF - Jordan Snell, Coker
D - Alex Nelson, Wingate
D - Lars Zimmermann, Anderson
D - Christan McArthur, Mars Hill
D - Victor Tozelli, Wingate
GK - Marcel Barwanietz, Lincoln Memorial
Second Team
F - Marius Staalby, Carson-Newman
F - Jonathan Spicher, Tusculum
F - Noah Gulley, Coker
F - Lucas Ferreira, Newberry
MF - Aksel Juul, Wingate
MF - Yuri Passos, Lincoln Memorial
MF - Robert Wagner, Carson-Newman
MF - Magnus Larsen, Anderson
D - Guillermo Lazcano, Tusculum
D - Nathaniel Johnson, Lincoln Memorial
D - Tom Holland, Lenoir-Rhyne
D - James Scott, Wingate
GK - Bo Haug, Anderson
Honorable Mention
F - Sergi Monso, Brevard
F - Philip Makhlouf, Queens
MF - Brayhan Yrio, Mars Hill
MF - Matias Rubio, Tusculum
MF - Tony Quiroz, Coker
MF - Jack Donaldson, Mars Hill
MF - David Fairgrieve, Wingate
D - Alex Naric, Carson-Newman
D - Fernando Bedoya, Coker
D - Paul Marie, Newberry
D - Rurik Pereira, Carson-Newman
GK - Jorge Alvarez, Tusculum
SAC Player of the Year: Charlie Machell, Wingate
SAC Freshman of the Year: Magnus Larsen, Anderson
SAC Coach of the Year: Gary Hamill, Wingate
