Saleska named NACC Coach of the Year; Men's Soccer league awards announced
WAUKESHA, Wis. – For the second time in three seasons, Concordia University Wisconsin Men's Soccer head coach Tom Saleska has been named the NACC Coach of the Year by his peers, the league office announced Tuesday. In addition to Saleska being tabbed as Coach of the Year, the NACC regular season champion Falcons had five players honored as All-NACC picks, two on the First Team and three on the Second.
Gavin Falotico was named First Team All-NACC for the third straight season and will have a chance to join elite company next year if he can do it for the fourth straight year. Dagoberto Diaz was also chosen as a First Team All-NACC pick, his second straight. Seniors Colin Dibb and Luis Loya, along with sophomore Owen Hanisko were named Second Team All-NACC.
Saleska led the Falcons to their second NACC regular season title with a 9-1-0 league mark. Perhaps what was most impressive about the Falcons runs was the injuries they had to deal with during the season. CUW started 19 different players in conference matches this season and only four players started all 10 NACC matches.
Falotico (Palatine, Ill.) has been one of the league's top defenders since arriving at CUW in 2015. He helped lead a defense that allowed just 14 goals during NACC play and one that shut down some of the top players in the conference.
Diaz (Woodburn, Ore.) led the NACC in points in conference matches, producing 33 in 10 contests. The junior midfielder scored 11 times in conference play and added 11 assists. Diaz scored three or more points in seven of 10 league matches.
Dibb (Hartland, Wis.) ranked seventh in conference-only matches with 22 points was eighth in league matches with eight goals. The senior forward finished the regular season with 10 goals and seven assists in 16 matches.
Loya (Bolingbrook, Ill.) produced 11 points for the Falcons in 10 conference matches this season and has 13 points for the entire year. The senior scored four goals in conference matches, including a game-winner in a 3-2 overtime contest at MSOE.
Hanisko (Hartford, Wis.) was another outstanding defender for the Falcons this year, helping Falotico and the rest of the defense. The outside back started 15 matches for CUW and tallied an assist in a win over Lakeland. He and the Falcons posted five shutouts this season.
The Falcons are back in action today against MSOE in the NACC Tournament Semifinals. Opening kick from Fitting Field is set for 2 p.m.
A complete list of the 2017 NACC Men's Soccer Awards can be found here.
