The Southern Conference announced the 2010 all-conference teams and the Cougars amassed numerous honors after winning a share of the regular-season title for the first time in program history, the league announced Wednesday.
Sophomore midfielder Sean de Silva (Port of Spain, Trinidad) as well as senior defender Sean Flatley (Virginia Beach, Va.) were named to the first team; goalkeeper Kees Heemskerk (Zaandam, Holland) was named to the second team and all-freshman team; and freshman forward Andy Craven (St. Simon's Island, Ga.) was named the Freshman of the Year.
De Silva started in all 17 matches for the Cougars this season and led the team in points with seven goals and eight assists, both of which were also team highs. De Silva scored four game-winning goals this season too, lifting the Cougars to victory against Bucknell, Lehigh, Georgia Southern and Winthrop. His numbers rank first, second and third in the SoCon in assists, points and goals, respectively.
Flatley accumulated the highest voting points possible as a defender, receiving the top nod on each coach's ballot. Flatley also started in all 17 matches for the Cougars this season and was a rock at central defense. Despite his defensive focus, Flatley positioned himself for three goals on the year, two of which won games for CofC. He registered an assist on the year as well.
Craven became the first Cougar to ever win the Freshman of the Year honor after tying for third on the team with three goals while adding an assist on the year. Craven became a consistent starter midway through the season and proved to be a pivotal point in the Cougars' attack. Craven netted the game-winning goal in CofC's 2-1 win over Coastal Carolina and started in seven of CofC's eight remaining matches afterwards.
Heemskerk spent most of the season ranked in the top-10 nationally in several goalkeeping statistics and earned a spot on the second team as well as the lone keeper on the all-freshman team. He played every minute in net for the Cougars and allowed 15 goals on 73 saves for a .830 save percentage. Heemskerk registered six shutouts and a 0.85 goals against average as well.
Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own players or for themselves in the balloting.
The 2010 men's soccer season reaches its climax this weekend as UNCG, Furman, Appalachian State and Davidson descend on Mt. Pleasant, S.C. for the semifinals and final of the 2010 Southern Conference Men's Soccer Championship. The semifinals will be at 5 and 7:30 p.m. Friday with the championship match Sunday at 1 p.m. from the Patriots Point Athletics Complex.