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LMU SOCCER NEWS |
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LINCOLN MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY OFFICE OF SPORTS INFORMATION Sports Release April 22, 2008 More Accolades For LMU Men’s Soccer HARROGATE, TN – Lincoln Memorial University soccer Head Coach Helio D’Anna recognized four players from his 2007 NCAA Division II National Runner-Up team at Tuesday night’s annual Athletics Banquet ceremonies held on the LMU campus. Three players shared the Most Valuable Player award, including senior Nelson Pizzaro (Pembroke Pines, FL), sophomore Leandro Pereira (Brasilia, Brazil) and senior Leonardo de Barros (Brasilia, Brazil). Pizzaro, a four-year starter for the Railsplitters scored 15 goals this season while handing out seven assists. Pizzaro was named Second Team All-South Atlantic Conference, SAC Tournament MVP, Appalachian Region Tournament Most Outstanding Offensive Player, First Team Daktronics All-Appalachian Region and Daktronics First Team All-American. In his second season with Lincoln Memorial University, Pereira continues to rewrite the LMU soccer record books. After receiving Daktronics Appalachian Region Player of the Year last season, Pereira again received the award in 2008 along with South Atlantic Conference Player of the Year, Daktronics First Team All-American and Daktronics NCAA Division II Men’s Soccer National Player of the Year tallying a team-high 23 goals and nine assist this season for the Railsplitters. A three-year starter at Lincoln Memorial University, Leonardo de Barros was one of the unsung heroes again last year. de Barros scored eight goals and handed out seven assist from his midfield/forward position while helping the Railsplitters win the SAC Regular Season, the SAC Tournament, Appalachian Region, Elite-Eight and NCAA Division II Semifinal matches. With his help, the Railsplitters were able to finish the 2007 season with a 20-4-1 record, the most wins in a single season in LMU soccer history. The Most Improved award went to LMU senior and four-year starter Marcelo Galafassi (Jundiai, Brazil). From his defensive-mid position, Galafassi managed to tally goals and nine assists this season while proving to be many times an extra defender on the field. Galafassi’s accomplishment were magnified due to the fact that he continued to step up his game after suffering a season-ending ACL injury his freshman season. The 2007 Railsplitters lost seven seniors to graduation, three of which were honored at Tuesday night’s Athletics Banquet. -LMU- For additional comments please contact, |