Prior to the game against Michigan State on October 22, 2019, the Oakland soccer team honored seniors Elliott Bentley, Corentin Diverres, Adam Giorgio, Liam McQueenie, Spencer Nolff, Evan Sawula and AJ Shaw for their hard work and dedication to the program. In addition, they also honored Team IMPACT member Alex VanHolder.

 

#10 Corentin Diverres was accompanied by his good friend, former Oakland soccer men's soccer player and current student assistant, Hamid Barry
 
Corentin said his greatest accomplishments are:
1) Scoring a beautiful goal against UIC last season in a really good game
2) Coming back from an ACL injury with the support of my family, friends, team and coaches
3) Making friends from all over the world here at Oakland
 
His favorite memory as a student-athlete:
All the good moments I shared with my friends and teammates on and off the field
 
Coach Pogue had this to say about Corentin:
"Coco came to Oakland last Fall with a lot promise and was a key factor in our early season success last fall before suffering a knee injury that essentially sidelined him for almost a year. His commitment to his rehabilitation process was 150% and has given him an opportunity to contribute this Fall and compete for a championship".
 


#22 Elliot Bentley was accompanied by his mom, Teresa and father, Wayne
 
Elliott said his greatest accomplishments at Oakland are:
1) Graduating in the spring
2) Being named team captain
3) Winning the 2019 United Soccer League (USL) League Two North American National Championship with the Flint City Bucks over the summer
 
Favorite memory as a student-athlete:
Getting to play football everyday with my teammates
 
Coach Pogue on Elliott:
"A fantastic addition to our team in January 2018, Elliott has solidified himself as one of the best left backs in the Horizon League, the Region, and now the nation. A true "defender" that prides himself on shutting down his opponent, he is also a handful joining into the attack and has a bright future in the game at pro level."
 


#14 Adam Giorgio was accompanied by his father, Frank, mother, Nadia, brother Christian and sister, Sierra
 
Adam said his greatest accomplishments are:
1) Becoming the president of "The Society for Applied Investing and Financial Education" which is a financial student organization in the school of business
2) Becoming an analyst in the Student Managed Investment Fund
3) Beating Big 10 Champion Michigan and Ohio State his sophomore year
 
His favorite memory as a student-athlete:
Making my debut against Penn State and being able to play soccer with all the remarkable student-athletes over the years who are more than just athletes but also great mentors and friends.
 
Coach Pogue on Adam:
"Adam has grown leaps and bounds on and off the field. He is a consummate professional in his approach to games, training, academics and community service over the past four years. Extremely intelligent and mature, his approach to life will undoubtedly make him very successful in all his future career and ambitions."


 
#26 Liam McQueenie was escorted by mother, Michelle, father, Craig, grandmother, Patricia and aunt Karen
 
Liam said his greatest accomplishments are:
1) Earning Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week honors after my first two games as a freshman
2) Being given the captains armband for the match against Dayton this season
3) Starting in goal and helping the team to a Horizon League semi-final berth in 2016
 
His favorite memory as a student-athlete:
Making his collegiate debut against Michigan State as a freshman. The occasion and atmosphere on the night were something my family and I will never forget.
 
Coach Pogue on Liam:
"Liam's growth as a person is what's most impressive to me over his four years. Through the highs and lows of life from the ages 18-22, Liam is the definition of a true leader that is selfless, hardworking, dedicated, humble, passionate and fun loving. His commitment to the TEAM has always come first while also being a great teammate, friend and young man."


 
#2 AJ Shaw was accompanied by his mother, Laura and father, Neil
 
AJ said his greatest accomplishments are:
1) Upsetting No. 2 ranked Akron in an exhibition match during his freshman year
2) Playing in every game as a freshman
3) Making it to my senior year and graduating
 
His favorite memory as a student-athlete:
Having Alex VanHolder join our team and the lifelong relationships made during my time here
 
Coach Pogue on AJ:
"I've known AJ since he was 10 years old and have been honored to be his coach, his accountability partner, someone who has to dole out some "tough love" and one of his No. 1 fans. What I love most about AJ is his sincerity, generosity and kindness that he shows everyone. AJ is a guy you can always go to battle with and he won't let you down."
 


#8 Evan Sawula was escorted by his father Taras and mother Silva
 
Evan said his greatest accomplishments are:
1) Maintaining a near-perfect GPA of 3.96 as a Bioengineering major
2) Being named to the National Team of the Week this season
3) Being able to play Division I soccer and share the field with incredible players
 
His favorite memory as a student-athlete:
Scoring my first college goal against Big 10 Champion Michigan
 
Coach Pogue on Evan:
"Ever since seeing Evan at Oakland camps as a young high schooler, I was always impressed with what a good complete footballer he was. Although he is not the biggest in size, Evan always uses his technical skill and tactical mind to make an impact on the game. Although a great footballer, his impact in the "real world" in his academic pursuits is going to make him a true "world changer."


 
#6 Spencer Nolff was accompanied by his father Elmond and mother, Tracy
 
Spencer said his greatest accomplishments are:
1) Being accepted into the Doctor of Physical Therapy graduate program
2) Being named team captain as a junior and senior
3) Earning the 2018/2019 Presidential Award at the Black & Gold Awards
 
His favorite memory as a student-athlete:
Scoring first my collegiate goal against Loyola Chicago
 
Coach Pogue on Spencer:
"A good friend of mine spoke to the team last winter and told the team that his everyday goal was to always be the most reliable person in the room and someone that could always be counted on 110%.....that's who Spencer Nolff is to me. There is no greater compliment I can give that better summarizes you as an Oakland men's soccer player on the field, off the field, in the classroom and in the community—dependable, reliable, consistent, steady; our leader."


 
Our very special Team IMPACT senior #20 Alex VanHolder was accompanied by his mother, Stephanie, father Matt and baby sister, Charlie.
 
Alex joined the men's soccer team in 2017 while battling a Medulloblastoma tumor on his brain stem. He went through an extensive surgery to remove most of the tumor and after getting regular treatments of chemo and radiation at Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor, Mich., he was deemed cancer free in March of 2018.
 
Alex said his greatest accomplishments are:
1) Winning the 2018 Community Service Award at the Black & Gold Awards
2) Have a bowling party with the team to celebrate the end of Chemo treatments
3) Kicking cancer's BUTT!!
 
His favorite memory as a member of the team:
Dressing with the team for the Childhood Cancer Awareness Game against DePaul this season and traveling with the team to a lot of away games
 
Coach Pogue on Alex:
"Alex, you are a daily inspiration to us all!  Your strength, your courage, your fight, your perseverance, your unrelenting will to KICK CANCER'S BUTT is something I will cherish with me for a lifetime. When we first met you in the summer of 2017, you were a frail, sick little boy with cancer taking over your body. Two years later in 2019, to see you transform into a strong, healthy, CANCER FREE, smiling young man is the greatest gift you could ever give myself and our team. We want to thank you Alex and also thank Matt and Stephanie, what blessings you all are."
 
#WEARtheBEAR