Wake Forest Claims Three ACC Awards
11/7/2018 10:31:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Bobby Muuss earned his fourth-straight ACC Coach of the Year honor, Omir Fernandez was named Offensive Player of the Year and Bruno Lapa named Midfielder of the Year
GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Wake Forest earned three major awards from the ACC on Wednesday, with Bobby Muuss being named ACC Coach of the Year, Omir Fernandez selected as Offensive Player of the Year and Bruno Lapa picked as Midfielder of the Year.
In addition to Fernandez and Lapa on the All-ACC First Team, Brad Dunwell is picked as All-ACC Second Team, Sam Raben was named All-ACC Third Team, and Aristotle Zarris was honored on the All-Freshman Team.
Muuss becomes the first coach in ACC men's soccer history to earn four-consecutive Coach of the Year honors. No coach had previously earned more than two consecutively (Jay Vidovich - 2008, 09 and Bruce Arena - 1988, 89).
Wake Forest has also won one of the major ACC awards for four-straight years for the second time in program history. In addition to Muuss' honors, Wake Forest's other awards include Jon Bakero as Offensive Player of the Year and Kevin Politz as Defensive Player of the Year in 2017, Ian Harkes as Midfielder of the Year in 2016, and Jack Harrison winning Offensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year in 2015. The Deacs previously claimed awards in three-straight seasons from 2002-04 and four-straight from 2006-09.
"While these are individual awards, none of them come without team success," Muuss said. "From one to 27 on our roster, our student-athletes have been committed to this program from day one and make each other better every day. Several more could have earned these honors today, and having that much depth speaks to this team's dedication to improve each and every day. Additional credit needs to go to my coaching staff of Steve Armas, Dane Brenner and Matt Poplawski. Whether it's on the recruiting trail, preparing scouts, editing video or running training sessions, the hard work of the entire coaching staff — plus our support staff of Brooke Taylor, David Bass and Michael White — has been essential in getting us to where we are today. Still, our biggest goals are ahead of us and we're excited to keep working towards them."
Muuss has led the Deacs to a 72-9-7 overall record in his four years. This year, Wake Forest is 17-1 and won its fourth-straight ACC Atlantic Division title, as well as a perfect 12-0 at Spry Stadium. Wake Forest is ranked No. 1 in the country and has been rated in the top-five in 32 consecutive polls dating back to 2016.
Fernandez leads the team in goals with 11 and ranks third in the ACC with 29 points, also adding six assists. He has scored game-winning goals against NC State, Georgia Southern, Virginia Tech and NC State again in the ACC Quarterfinal, tied for most on the team.
Lapa leads the squad with 29 points, second-most in the ACC. His nine assists are most in the conference while his 10 goals rank fourth. Lapa has also netted four game-winning goals, his coming against ETSU, Presbyterian, Duke, and Louisville in overtime.
"Bruno made a commitment in the offseason to step up as a leader and this has paid dividends both on and off the field," Muuss said. "He is the anchor of our attack and we're confident that good things are going to happen when he has the ball at his feet. It has been a pleasure to watch him grow as a person and a player into one of the best in the nation."
Dunwell has now been named All-ACC in each of his four seasons as a holding midfielder, starting the attack from the back for an offense which leads the country with 49 goals. The team captain has started all 88 games in his career and recorded a pair of assists this season.
Raben, the other team captain, has been the anchor of Wake Forest's back line since arriving in 2015. He has also started all 88 games in his four years, and has helped the Wake Forest defense record six shutouts this season and more than 40 in his career.
Zarris leads all ACC freshmen with 15 points on five goals and five assists, ranking just outside the top 10 in each category among all players. He has come on especially strong as of late with points in five of the last six games, including netting a late equalizer in an overtime win over Louisville.
Wake Forest earned the top seed in the ACC Championship and plays No. 10-ranked and fourth-seeded Louisville on Wednesday night at 7 p.m.
Coach of the Year: Bobby Muuss, Wake Forest
Offensive Player of the Year: Omir Fernandez, So., M, Wake Forest
Defensive Player of the Year: Alex Comsia, Sr., D, North Carolina
Midfielder of the Year: Bruno Lapa, Jr., M, Wake Forest
Freshman of the Year: Issa Rayyan, Fr., M, Duke
First Team All-ACC
Daniele Proch, Jr., M, Duke
Tate Schmitt, Sr., F, Louisville
Nils Bruening, Sr., F, North Carolina
Alex Comsia, Sr., D, North Carolina
Mauricio Pineda, Jr., M, North Carolina
James Pyle, Sr., GK, North Carolina
David Loera, So., F, NC State
Edward Kizza, So., F, Pittsburgh
Tajon Buchanan, So., F, Syracuse
Omir Fernandez, So., M, Wake Forest
Bruno Lapa, Jr., M, Wake Forest
Second Team All-ACC
Simon Enstrom, Sr., F, Boston College
Will Pulisic, So., GK, Duke
Brandon Williamson, Jr, M., Duke
Issa Rayyan, Fr., M, Duke
Geoffrey Dee, Sr., M, Louisville
John Nelson, So., D, North Carolina
Thomas Ueland, Sr., F, Notre Dame
Patrick Berneski, Gr., D, Notre Dame
Javi Perez, Sr., M, Pittsburgh
Kristo Strickler, So., M, Virginia Tech
Brad Dunwell, Sr., M, Wake Forest
Third Team All-ACC
Ciaran McKenna, Sr., M, Duke
Cherif Dieye, Jr., M, Louisville
Jack Skahan, Jr., M, North Carolina
Manny Perez, So., F, NC State
Tommy McCabe, Jr., M, Notre Dame
Felicien Dumas, Sr., D, Notre Dame
Kamal Miller, Sr, D, Syracuse
Joe Bell, So., M, Virginia
Henry Kessler, So., D, Virginia
Mathijs Swaneveld, So., GK, Virginia Tech
Sam Raben, Sr., D, Wake Forest
All-Freshman Team
Kristofer Konraddson, Fr., M, Boston College
Charlie Asensio, Fr., D, Clemson
Issa Raayan, Fr., M, Duke
Aedan Stanley, Fr., D, Duke
Chandler Vaughn, Fr., D, Pitt
Ryan Raposo, Fr., M, Syracuse
Daryl Dike, Fr., F, Virginia
Cabrel Happi Kamseu, Fr., F, Virginia
Aboubacar Keita, Fr., D, Virginia
Daniel Steedman, Fr., F, Virginia
Aristotle Zarris, Fr., F, Wake Forest
In addition to Fernandez and Lapa on the All-ACC First Team, Brad Dunwell is picked as All-ACC Second Team, Sam Raben was named All-ACC Third Team, and Aristotle Zarris was honored on the All-Freshman Team.
Muuss becomes the first coach in ACC men's soccer history to earn four-consecutive Coach of the Year honors. No coach had previously earned more than two consecutively (Jay Vidovich - 2008, 09 and Bruce Arena - 1988, 89).
Wake Forest has also won one of the major ACC awards for four-straight years for the second time in program history. In addition to Muuss' honors, Wake Forest's other awards include Jon Bakero as Offensive Player of the Year and Kevin Politz as Defensive Player of the Year in 2017, Ian Harkes as Midfielder of the Year in 2016, and Jack Harrison winning Offensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year in 2015. The Deacs previously claimed awards in three-straight seasons from 2002-04 and four-straight from 2006-09.
"While these are individual awards, none of them come without team success," Muuss said. "From one to 27 on our roster, our student-athletes have been committed to this program from day one and make each other better every day. Several more could have earned these honors today, and having that much depth speaks to this team's dedication to improve each and every day. Additional credit needs to go to my coaching staff of Steve Armas, Dane Brenner and Matt Poplawski. Whether it's on the recruiting trail, preparing scouts, editing video or running training sessions, the hard work of the entire coaching staff — plus our support staff of Brooke Taylor, David Bass and Michael White — has been essential in getting us to where we are today. Still, our biggest goals are ahead of us and we're excited to keep working towards them."
Muuss has led the Deacs to a 72-9-7 overall record in his four years. This year, Wake Forest is 17-1 and won its fourth-straight ACC Atlantic Division title, as well as a perfect 12-0 at Spry Stadium. Wake Forest is ranked No. 1 in the country and has been rated in the top-five in 32 consecutive polls dating back to 2016.
Fernandez leads the team in goals with 11 and ranks third in the ACC with 29 points, also adding six assists. He has scored game-winning goals against NC State, Georgia Southern, Virginia Tech and NC State again in the ACC Quarterfinal, tied for most on the team.
"I couldn't be prouder of Omir and how he has developed as a player," Muuss added. "He had the patience to come off the bench last year and seized his starting opportunity this season. He is one of the most dynamic scorers in the ACC and has been the spark-plug for our offense, which has been the best in the country."
Lapa leads the squad with 29 points, second-most in the ACC. His nine assists are most in the conference while his 10 goals rank fourth. Lapa has also netted four game-winning goals, his coming against ETSU, Presbyterian, Duke, and Louisville in overtime.
"Bruno made a commitment in the offseason to step up as a leader and this has paid dividends both on and off the field," Muuss said. "He is the anchor of our attack and we're confident that good things are going to happen when he has the ball at his feet. It has been a pleasure to watch him grow as a person and a player into one of the best in the nation."
Dunwell has now been named All-ACC in each of his four seasons as a holding midfielder, starting the attack from the back for an offense which leads the country with 49 goals. The team captain has started all 88 games in his career and recorded a pair of assists this season.
Raben, the other team captain, has been the anchor of Wake Forest's back line since arriving in 2015. He has also started all 88 games in his four years, and has helped the Wake Forest defense record six shutouts this season and more than 40 in his career.
Zarris leads all ACC freshmen with 15 points on five goals and five assists, ranking just outside the top 10 in each category among all players. He has come on especially strong as of late with points in five of the last six games, including netting a late equalizer in an overtime win over Louisville.
Wake Forest earned the top seed in the ACC Championship and plays No. 10-ranked and fourth-seeded Louisville on Wednesday night at 7 p.m.
Coach of the Year: Bobby Muuss, Wake Forest
Offensive Player of the Year: Omir Fernandez, So., M, Wake Forest
Defensive Player of the Year: Alex Comsia, Sr., D, North Carolina
Midfielder of the Year: Bruno Lapa, Jr., M, Wake Forest
Freshman of the Year: Issa Rayyan, Fr., M, Duke
First Team All-ACC
Daniele Proch, Jr., M, Duke
Tate Schmitt, Sr., F, Louisville
Nils Bruening, Sr., F, North Carolina
Alex Comsia, Sr., D, North Carolina
Mauricio Pineda, Jr., M, North Carolina
James Pyle, Sr., GK, North Carolina
David Loera, So., F, NC State
Edward Kizza, So., F, Pittsburgh
Tajon Buchanan, So., F, Syracuse
Omir Fernandez, So., M, Wake Forest
Bruno Lapa, Jr., M, Wake Forest
Second Team All-ACC
Simon Enstrom, Sr., F, Boston College
Will Pulisic, So., GK, Duke
Brandon Williamson, Jr, M., Duke
Issa Rayyan, Fr., M, Duke
Geoffrey Dee, Sr., M, Louisville
John Nelson, So., D, North Carolina
Thomas Ueland, Sr., F, Notre Dame
Patrick Berneski, Gr., D, Notre Dame
Javi Perez, Sr., M, Pittsburgh
Kristo Strickler, So., M, Virginia Tech
Brad Dunwell, Sr., M, Wake Forest
Third Team All-ACC
Ciaran McKenna, Sr., M, Duke
Cherif Dieye, Jr., M, Louisville
Jack Skahan, Jr., M, North Carolina
Manny Perez, So., F, NC State
Tommy McCabe, Jr., M, Notre Dame
Felicien Dumas, Sr., D, Notre Dame
Kamal Miller, Sr, D, Syracuse
Joe Bell, So., M, Virginia
Henry Kessler, So., D, Virginia
Mathijs Swaneveld, So., GK, Virginia Tech
Sam Raben, Sr., D, Wake Forest
All-Freshman Team
Kristofer Konraddson, Fr., M, Boston College
Charlie Asensio, Fr., D, Clemson
Issa Raayan, Fr., M, Duke
Aedan Stanley, Fr., D, Duke
Chandler Vaughn, Fr., D, Pitt
Ryan Raposo, Fr., M, Syracuse
Daryl Dike, Fr., F, Virginia
Cabrel Happi Kamseu, Fr., F, Virginia
Aboubacar Keita, Fr., D, Virginia
Daniel Steedman, Fr., F, Virginia
Aristotle Zarris, Fr., F, Wake Forest
Players Mentioned
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Midfielder
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Defender
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Midfielder
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