The College of Charleston garnered a great deal of attention on a conference-wide level, as the Cougars received five All-Conference nods in addition to senior defender Leland Archer being named the CAA Defensive Player of the Year.
Archer, who was also named an All-CAA First Team selection, had a stellar year on the back-line for the Cougars, drawing starts in every contest this season and playing 1592 of a possible 1626 minutes this year. The senior international business major was a big reason why the Cougars only surrendered six goals in conference play this season, and was also the team's go-to option on penalty kicks. Not only was Archer a perfect 3 of 3 in PK situations this year, he leads the team in goals following a two-goal outburst that lifted the College past Elon in the CAA Semifinals. Archer's was the first Player of the Year accolade any Cougar has received since joining the conference back in 2013.
Joining Archer on the All-CAA First Team was senior midfielder Eli Dent, who leads the Cougars in assists and points (3g, 5a), the latter of which ties him for fourth in the conference. Dent didn't simply rack up the offensive numbers this year, but did so in huge moments. The marketing major finished with two game-winning goals on the year, none bigger than his strike that knocked off the No. 15 UNCW Seahawks on the road. He also leads the team in shots with 33.
Senior goalkeeper Kevin Shields picked up Second Team All-CAA honors following another terrific campaign. The finance major currently owns a sterling 0.89 GAA, 50 saves, and a 0.758 save percentage. He also earned six shutouts on the season, blanking Monmouth, Florida Atlantic, Hofstra, Elon, Winthrop and Delaware. His best stretch of the season came in back-to-back games against UNF and Elon, making 15 saves while only allowing one goal against.
Senior defender Vebjorn Krovel achieved All-CAA Third Team honors after playing every single minute possible for the Cougars on the backline. Like Archer, the business administration major helped morph the CofC defense into a daunting wall that limited opponents all year long, and he stepped up with his first goal in the maroon and white on senior day, helping the Cougars pull off the draw against William & Mary.
Freshman Jake Nicholson rounded things out for the Cougars, earning CAA All-Rookie acclaim. Nicholson helped revamp the CofC offense, scoring three goals and two assists for the season, including a two-goal outburst to defeat North Florida. He also notched a goal at home against James Madison, notching 26 assists on the year in 1295 minutes of play.