Men's Soccer 11/9/2016 2:00:00 PM

Feehrer, Waso take major awards; Five named All-Landmark

2016 All-Landmark Conference Men's Soccer Teams and Awards

TOWSON, Md. -- Junior Sam Feehrer and sophomore Gilbert Waso earned major awards and headlined five All-Landmark Conference picks for the NCAA Championship-bound Elizabethtown men's soccer team Wednesday.

Feeher was named Defensive Player of the Year, while Waso locked up Offensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. Feehrer (defense) and Waso (midfield) were joined on the First Team by senior forward Jeff Light and senior goalkeeper Ryan Sandell. Junior midfielder Aaron Rathsam was voted to the Second Team.

It's been an outstanding season for Feehrer, particularly against Landmark opponents. The Reading, Pennsylvania, native's diverse skill set has allowed coach Skip Roderick to play him anywhere on the field. Feehrer has backed an 11-point season in 2015 with nine in 2016. His seven assists lead the Landmark and his lone goal, Oct. 15 against Goucher, was a double overtime-winner. The all-conference honor is Feehrer's second in a row, following a Second Team nod last fall. He's also the second straight Blue Jay to be named conference Defensive Player of the Year (Martin Fevre, 2015).

There aren't enough superlatives to describe Waso's game and what he means to Elizabethtown soccer. The guy does it all and until Scranton finally found a way to slow the Blue Jays in last Saturday's Landmark Championship, Waso carved up defenses to the tune of 15 goals and six assists for 36 points. More impressively, the 2015 Landmark Offensive Player and Rookie of the Year, went eight straight games in October with at least one point. He contributed nine of his 15 goals and 25 of his 36 points. Waso currently ranks 28th in Division III in points per game (2.0), 29th in total goals and 30th in total points. He is tops in the Landmark in goals, points, shots (63) and second in assists and shots on goal (33).

As Light's collegiate career embarks on its final chapter, the Hershey product has once again been a major player in the Blue Jay offense. He's started 16 games with five goals, six assists and 16 points to his credit. Wednesday's announcement marked Light's second All-Landmark First Team honor in as many seasons. Light went over the 50-point mark for his career earlier this season and has now registered 46 of his 54 career points over the last two seasons.

Sandell was forced to bide his time as a reserve keeper for much of his Elizabethtown career, but he has run with an opportunity as the team's starter. The unwavering senior from Medford, New Jersey, put up a Landmark-best 0.71 goals against average and allowed a league-low 11 goals on his way to First Team honors. Sandell is approaching 1400 minutes play this season, having made 52 saves. He's got three solo shutouts and has combined on five others. His 12 wins are tied for most in the conference and a .825 save percentage ranks second.

Smooth and steady Rathsam is appearing on an all-conference team for the second year in a row. Health has limited the junior mid to 13 games and 11 starts, but other teams are well-aware of where the Lancaster native is when he's on the field. Rathsam has a goal and two assists for four points, but aside from his points, few control the middle of the field better than him and possession tends to flow through his play.

Elizabethtown's five selections come on the heels of receiving eight all-conference spots last year. The Blue Jays are preparing to compete in the NCAA Division III Championship for the first time sine 2006 and will face Vassar Saturday in Newark, New Jersey, at 7:30 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#5 Martin Fevre: D; 5' 7"; Senior

#19 Sam Feehrer: D/M; 6' 1"; Junior

#11 Jeff Light: F; 6' 0"; Senior

#4 Aaron Rathsam: M; 5' 7"; Junior

#0 Ryan Sandell: GK; 6' 0"; Senior

#2 Gilbert Waso: F; 5' 5"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#5 Martin Fevre
: 5' 7"; Senior
: D

#19 Sam Feehrer
: 6' 1"; Junior
: D/M

#11 Jeff Light
: 6' 0"; Senior
: F

#4 Aaron Rathsam
: 5' 7"; Junior
: M

#0 Ryan Sandell
: 6' 0"; Senior
: GK

#2 Gilbert Waso
: 5' 5"; Sophomore
: F