MANCHESTER, N.H. – Three members of the Southern New Hampshire University men's soccer team were honored as the Daktronics Division II All-America teams were released Thursday afternoon. Senior Chris Tsonis (Dartmouth, Mass.) and freshman Jonathan Lupinelli (Mont de Marsan, France) were Second Team All-America selections, while senior Ruben Resendes (Fall River, Mass.) was named Honorable Mention.
The Daktronics All-America and All-Region teams are selected by athletics communications professionals at NCAA Division II institutions.
Tsonis, who was named the Daktronics East Region Co-Player of the Year, led Southern New Hampshire and the Northeast-10 in scoring for the second straight season with 16 goals and four assists for 36 points. A co-captain and two-time NE-10 First Team selection, Tsonis notched seven-game winning goals on the season and recorded at least one goal in 14 of SNHU's 23 games. He wrapped up his career tied for ninth in career goals with 40 over his four seasons. Tsonis was a Daktronics Honorable Mention All-America selection in 2011.
Lupinelli, a defender, was one of four players and the only freshman to start all 23 games in 2012 for the Penmen. A Northeast-10 Second Team All-Conference selection and Daktronics First Team All-Region choice, Lupinelli was a integral part of an SNHU defense that allowed 13 goals in 23 games and posted 12 shutouts, again ranking among the national leaders in team defense. Lupinelli also ranked second on the team in assists, recording eight helpers on the season.
Resendes, a four-year starting midfielder for the Penmen, garnered Daktronics First Team All-Region accolades for the second time in his career in 2012. He started every game for the Penmen this season and was a key playmaker for an offense that registered 55 goals in 23 games. Resendes finished the season with four assists, and wrapped up his career as the program's all-time leader in games played with 87.
Southern New Hampshire finished the 2012 season 19-4, its most victories since 2002. The Penmen captured their first NCAA regional championship in a decade, advanced to the Division II quarterfinals for the third time in four seasons and also won the program's fourth Northeast-10 tournament title.
