Full OAC Release

AUSTINTOWN, Ohio – Seven members of the Otterbein men's soccer team earned a spot on the 2017 All-Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) team, announced by the league office Friday morning.

The seven players selected for Otterbein was the second-most in the league behind John Carroll (8), while Capital finished with five for the third-most. Overall, a total of 36 players spanning nine different teams were recognized across the first team, second team and honorable-mention squad.

First-year head coach Jason Griffiths was also voted OAC 'Co-Coach of the Year' after winning both the conference regular-season and tournament titles, joining Josh Racette of Captial (2009) as the only other coaches to capture the tournament crown in their inaugural campaign. Wilmington head coach Bud Lewis, who retired at season's end after leading the Quakers for 43 years, also received a share of 'Coach of the Year' through a vote from his peers.

Leading the Cardinals was senior Jaden Lunger, who claimed his second-straight 'Defender of the Year' award, last year earning a share of the honor, while also collecting first-team honors for the second year in-a-row.

Juniors Zach Lewis and Erick Juarez-Manning, as well as sophomore Tiger Pham, secured second-team accolades, while sophomores Kennedy Mensah, Pau Piang and Collin Hoffmann were named honorable mention.

Lunger (Gahanna/Lincoln) collected his fourth All-OAC award after helping the league's top-ranked defense (0.68) post 10 shutouts. Starting 17 games so far this year, Lunger battled through a mid-season injury to record eight points on three goals and two assists, coming through in multiple clutch situations. He scored the game-tying goal in the team's 2-1 win over nationally-ranked John Carroll, before assisting on the game-tying score against Marietta in the OAC Tournament semifinals.

Lewis (Canal Winchester/Canal Winchester) earned the first all-conference award of his career after helping stymie opposing teams all year long as a member of the Otterbein defense. Lewis, who has started 15 games, is one of seven Cardinal players with at least 10 points as he has notched four goals and two assists. He has posted a team-best three game-winners this fall, including the decisive score in the team's 2-1 victory over nationally-ranked John Carroll.  

Juarez-Manning (Hamilton/Hamilton Township) garnered the second all-league honor of his career after pacing the Cardinals and ranking second in the conference in assists (11). Playing in all 19 games and making 18 starts at midfield, Juarez-Manning scored the team's first goal of the season in a 7-0 win against La Roche and currently has 17 points, fourth-most on team, on three goals and 11 assists. He accounted for three of assists in the Cards' 4-1 victory over Earlham.

Pham (Powell/Olentangy Liberty) posted the second-straight all-conference accolade of his career, starting all 19 games as a major factor in the Cardinal midfield. Pham, who currently has six points on two goals and a pair of assists, notched a goal in each of the team's wins over La Roche and Wilmington, two of the Cards' largest-margin of victory this fall.

Mensah (Gahanna/Lincoln) broke out as on the top threats on the offensive side of the ball for Otterbein, leading the team with 21 points on 10 goals and one assist. Having started 17 games this season, Mensah is top-five in the conference in goals and is also in the top-10 in total points with a pair of two-goal outings. He also manufactured a stretch of three-straight games with a goal in September.

Piang (Columbus/Downtown) served as a key cog in the team's success at midfield, wreaking havoc each game with his speed and shifty style of play. Piang has played in all 19 games this season, making 18 starts, ranking second on the team and tied for third in the OAC in assists (10). He also ranks third on the team and in the top-10 in the league in points (18), having added four goals to the team's total.

Hoffmann (Galena/Sunbury) claimed his first all-league honor after ranking among the top-five goalkeepers in the OAC in every major category. Starting all 19 games between the posts, Hoffmann paces the conference in goal against (13), goals-against average (0.70) and save percentage (.841). He has 17 wins and 10 shutouts this year and is also fourth in the OAC in saves (69).

The Cards have posted their best season in over a decade, having captured the OAC Tournament title for the first time since 2002 after going undefeated at 9-0 in league play for the program's first conference regular-season crown since 2003. As a result, the 10th-ranked Cards earned the conference's automatic bid and was selected to host an NCAA Division III Regional this weekend with a first-round matchup against Medaille on Saturday at 5 p.m.

Other notable award winners include:
Forward of the Year - Danny Ruple (BW)
Midfielder of the Year - Jesse Marinaro (JCU)
Goalkeeper of the Year - Justin Niswonger (CAP)
Freshman of the Year - Will Turrittin (JCU)