CCA RELEASE
BROOKVILLE, N.Y. – Graduate student Sofiane Tergou (Bitche, France) and seniors Dominic Samuel (Toronto, Ontario), Jonathan Lupinelli (Mont de Marsan, France) and Nick Zucco (Ludlow, Mass.), all of the Southern New Hampshire University men's soccer team, were four of 13 players to be named to the Conference Commissioners Association (CCA) All-East Region First Team on Monday afternoon.
Tergou, the Northeast-10 Player of the Year, was the leading scorer for the Penmen this season with eight goals and 12 assists for 28 points. Tergou ranked second in the league in assists and points, seventh in game-winning goals (3) and eighth in total goals. Tergou was a CCA All-East Region Second Team selection last season.
Samuel, the Northeast-10 Defender of the Year, helped anchor a back line that featured the league's based goals-against average (0.47), which was nearly twice as low as the next closest opponent. He also scored three goals, including a game winner, for six points. Samuel was also tabbed as a First Teamer last season, before moving on to be picked as an All-American, as well as a Second Team choice in both 2012 and 2013.
Lupinelli, who garnered a spot on both the Northeast-10 All-Conference First Team and CoSIDA Academic All-America First Team, started all 21 contests at back this season. In addition to playing a key role on SNHU's stingy defense, Lupinelli dished eight assists, which ranked him second on the team and third in the Northeast-10. Lupinelli was also a First Teamer in the region back in 2012, when he went on to be named an All-American.
Zucco, the Northeast-10 Goalkeeper of the Year and Academic All-America Third Teamer, crafted a stellar season in net in which he started 17 matches, going 16-1-1 with 12 shutouts to go along with a microscopic 0.43 goals-against average and an .869 save percentage. In the league, Zucco ranked first in wins, shutouts, goals against (8), GAA and save percentage. Zucco ended the season with a personal shutout streak of 561:02 that he will carry into next season.
All four will now be pushed forward to the national ballot with a chance at All-America status.
The Penmen finished the season ranked No. 3 overall after submitting a record of 19-1-1 and reaching the East Regional final for the first time since their national title run in 2013. The Penmen, who earned their 21st overall NCAA Tournament berth, captured the Northeast-10's top seed following a 12-1-0 conference mark and went on to earn their fourth straight NE-10 title.
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