MEN'S SOCCER

NORTHFIELD, Vt. - After steamrolling the competition throughout an incredibly successful 2007 campaign, the Norwich men's soccer team reaped the rewards on Friday as the Cadets swept the GNAC's three major awards and placed nine players on the all-conference team.

NU head coach Kyle Dezotell led the way as the second-year mentor was selected as the GNAC "Coach of the Year." Junior forward Rob Harlow, who tied for the team lead with 16 goals and paced the Cadets with 14 assists and 46 points, was tabbed the league's "Player of the Year," while freshman standout midfielder Emmanuel Motaze earned conference "Rookie of the Year" laurels.

Harlow, who set the Norwich career goals record in early October, has been a scoring machine all season long. He registered a hat trick in the Cadets' 5-1 GNAC semifinal victory over Suffolk on Wednesday, and does not appear to be slowing down any time soon.

Harlow and Motaze were also both named to the all-conference first team. Joining them on the first team were midfielders Drew Dilley and Jake Yaris, defenders Jason Grupp and Kyle Przekaza and goalkeeper Jake Pagragan.

In addition to the seven first-team selections, Norwich also received a pair of second-team nods with forward Ryan Boyton and defender Peter Andrews being named to the second unit.

A native of Cameroon, Motaze has been one of the most exciting Norwich players this year. Known for his creative footwork and ball-handling skills, Motaze constantly draws on of the opposition's top defenders. He recorded three goals, four assists and 10 points.

Dilley tied Harlow for the team lead in goals with 16. He also ranked second on the team with 36 points. A Columbia, Pa., native, Dilley was selected as GNAC "Player of the Week" and ECAC "Offensive Player of the Week" earlier this year.

A tall player who possesses outstanding footwork and ball control, Yaris was selected to the first team after posting eight goals, seven assists and 23 points this season. Yaris was instrumental to Norwich's ability to get the ball through the middle of the field with his ability to find the open man with crisp, accurate passes.

Grupp, Przekaza and Andrews were part of the Cadets' defense that posted 10 shutouts in 2007. Each player is extremely adept at locking down defenders and clearing the ball when necessary. All three defenders also showed the ability to score with Grupp netting nine points and Przekaza and Andrews each scoring 11 points apiece.

A steady force in goal throughout the year, Pagragan posted a 15-2-1 overall record with a stingy 0.81 goals-against average. The Richland, Ind., product also recorded six of the team's 10 shutouts.

Boyton, meanwhile, led all NU rookies and ranked third on the team with 12 goals, 10 assists and 34 points.

Norwich (16-2-1, 9-0-1 GNAC) hosts Johnson & Wales the GNAC Championship game on Saturday, Nov. 3. The winner of the match will receive an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.