Seven Wildcats recognized as All-MAC performers; O’Neill wins Newcomer of the Year
CLEVELAND — The University of Kentucky men’s soccer team went unblemished in the Mid-American Conference regular season and several Wildcats were recognized for their outstanding play by the league office, Thursday. Seven Wildcats received All-MAC recognition, the most in school history, including junior Jamal Shteiwi who was named 2003 MAC Player of the Year. Also, freshman Riley O’Neill was recognized as MAC Newcomer of the Year.
Shteiwi, a Cincinnati native, led the conference in assists with 12, which is also a UK single-season record, and ranks 10th in the nation in assists per game (0.63). He also netted five goals to lead Kentucky with 22 points on the season as he became the second Kentucky player to receive Player of the Year honors. Ilkka Jantti was the first Wildcat to earn the award in 2001. Shteiwi received Player of the Week honors twice in 2003 and was named to the All-MAC First Team for the second consecutive season.
Sophomores Thomas Senecal and Andy Gruenebaum join Shteiwi on the All-MAC First Team. Senecal, a defender from Bethesda, Md., was third on the team in scoring with 10 points and played a major role in Kentucky’s defensive unit that did not allow a goal in regular season conference play. Gruenebaum played every minute of UK’s season in goal and recorded nine shutouts, 55 saves and his goals against average of 0.67 is the 13th best in the country.
In addition to three All-MAC First Team performers, four other Kentucky players received second team honors, including O’Neill and sophomores Joey Gaworecki and Brandon Stewart, as well as freshman Nathan Li.
O’Neill had one of the best freshmen campaigns in UK history as he led the Wildcats with six goals and was the second leading scorer with 15 points. The Campbell River, British Columbia native became the fourth Kentucky player to receive MAC Newcomer of the Year recognition since the Wildcats joined the league in 1995.
Gaworecki started in 16 matches for the Wildcats and tallied two assists and two goals, both were game-winners. Stewart notched three goals and was named Defensive MVP for the adidas/Spartan Classic in Greensboro, N.C., for his play against UNC Greensboro and No. 3 North Carolina. Li, a Delta, British Columbia native, scored two goals and started in 15 matches this season.
“It’s great to see all of our players who were recognized for individual accomplishments,” Head Coach Ian Collins said. “I think it is a testament to the hard work and dedication we’ve received out of all of our players throughout the year, both in practice and in games. I’m happy for everybody that has been recognized and it is a reflection of the team mentality that we have here at UK.”
