ORLANDO—The Barry men’s soccer team has produced back-to-back freshmen of year and four players on the 2009 All-Sunshine State Conference team.
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Listen to head coach Steve McCrath talk about the game
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A year after Buccaneer forward Mark Anderson was named SSC Freshman of the Year, Barry goalkeeper Johnny Rodrugues took the honor. Rodrigues played in and started 15 games and posted a 10-4-1 record. The freshman is tied for second in the conference in shutouts with six. The Rio de Janiero native tallied a 1.01 goals against average, 53 saves and 14 goals allowed.
“He’s done a fabulous job,” head coach Steve McCrath said. “I think as his comfort level in speaking has come about his comfort level in his playing is also come about. He has a great presence, he’s very calm and he has been a great asset.”
Taking SSC First-Team honors is sophomore forward Anderson and junior midfielder Sascha Koettig. Anderson led the league in shots with 110, tied for first in the conference in game winning goals with six, ranked second in the league in points with 36, tied for second in the conference in goals with 15, and tied for eighth in the league in assists with six. Anderson led the Buccaneers to a #22 national ranking in scoring offense and ranks 20th in the nation in goals per game.
Koettig, out of Berlin Germany, posted career-highs in goals with six, assists with eight and points with 20. The midfielder ranks fourth in the conference in assists and eighth in the league in points. On October 24, Koettig almost single-handedly propelled the Buccaneers past the #3 Rollins Tars with the only two goals of the match. Koettig also ranks 19th in the nation in assists per game.
In addition to Rodrigues, Anderson, and Koettig, Barry junior defender Joao Garcia was named second-team All-Conference. Garcia’s maturity and leadership has anchored the Buccaneer defensive third throughout the season. The defender played a crucial role in the team’s seven shutouts and goals against average of less than one. Garcia and the Barry defense have allowed only 17 goals the entire season. The Barry defense is tied for first in the conference in shutouts.
The Buccaneer season is not over however; the 3-0 win over Florida Tech on Tuesday in the conference tournament advanced Barry to the semifinals on Friday against Rollins. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in Tampa, Fla. Pregame coverage starts at 5:00 p.m. on the Buccaneer Broadcasting Network.
