ROCHESTER, Mich. – Held at The Social Space on East Street in Rochester and voted on by the program's current's student-athletes, seven Golden Grizzlies received individual recognition during the Oakland Men's Soccer End of Year Banquet on Friday, April 14.

With the night being highlighted by South Lyon 13-year-old Owen Moerdyke ceremonially signing with the Golden Grizzlies through TEAM Impact, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada freshman defender Jace Foster was selected by his peers as the program's Most Improved Player in 2022 and classmates Marco Mazzei and Malik Sylvester were named the Co-Rookies of the Year.

The lone honor presented to not be voted on by the players, Brooklyn, Michigan senior defender Micah Sonnenberg received the Coaches Award and Canberra, Australia redshirt senior goalkeeper Finn Jurak took home the Heinemann Award.

Named in honor of Adam Heinemann, who played for Oakland from 1996-2000 and passed in 2019, Jurak's award is given to the ultimate team player.

Beginning the 2022 campaign, as the Golden Grizzlies' starter in net, Jurak suffered a season-ending injury early in the year, but continued to be one of the team's most important players due to his positivity, experience and ability to help mentor Michael Sly Jr., who would go on to earn a spot on the Horizon League All-Freshman Team after taking over for him.

One of two Oakland players to be named First Team All-Horizon League and the only Golden Grizzly to play in all 19 of the club's matches last season, Jarvenpaa, Finland senior midfielder Ville Ahola was chosen as their Most Valuable Player (MVP).

Rounding out the individual honorees, Portage senior forward Mikey Ketteman was picked by his teammates to be Oakland's captain in 2023.

An All-Horizon League First Team selection in 2021, Ketteman missed last year with an injury, but will be good to go when the Golden Grizzlies begin their fall action in August.

Here are the award winners in list format:

• Most Improved Player – Freshman D Jace Foster (Mississauga, Ontario, Canada)
• Co-Rookie of the Year – Freshman MF Marco Mazzei (Dearborn, Michigan)
• Co-Rookie of the Year – Freshman D Malik Sylvester (Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada)
• Coaches Award – Senior D Micah Sonnenberg (Brooklyn, Michigan)
• Adam Heinemann Award – Redshirt senior GK Finn Jurak (Canberra, Australia)
• Most Valuable Player – Senior MF Ville Ahola (Jarvenpaa, Finland)
• 2023 Team Captain – Senior F Mikey Ketteman (Portage, Michigan)

        
Jace Foster - Photograph courtesy of Skip Townsend, TZR Sports


Finn Jurak - Photograph courtesy of Skip Townsend, TZR Sports