INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The Golden Grizzlies are continuing to assert their dominance over the conference late in the season as the  Horizon League announced the 2024 #HLMSOC All-League Awards, featuring five Golden Grizzlies as the number one seeded squad had their names all over the awards list.

GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR

Alex Flowers

Flowers has been the heart of the team and the anchor of a defense that has been among the best in the league. In his first year as full-time keeper, Flowers adds Goalkeeper of the Year on top of his All-Academic nod in a stellar campaign. While having the second most shutouts of any goalkeeper in the league (4), the senior ranks third in saves (54) and fourth in goals against average (1.214) en route to taking the crown as best goalkeeper in the league, the first Golden Grizzly to win the award since Sullivan Lauderdale in 2019.

"Alex has been a source of confidence for us in goal this whole season. I'm really happy for Alex. He has worked very hard. It is a fitting award for a player that has been consistently performing at the level Alex has," said Oakland Coach Paul Doroh on hsi star keeper."

SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD

Jace Foster (Co-winner)

Foster caps off another great season as the defender earns the Sportsmanship Award. Along with his stellar play on defense, he shows top notch class and humility on the pitch.

"You just won't find a harder working player that equally displays a respect for the game, his teammates, referees, and opponents than Jace. He is a class act," added Doroh.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Paul Doroh

What a first season at the helm for Coach Doroh. He has kept the team at a top notch level, leading them to a second consecutive regular season title and priming the team for another deep conference tournament run. Oakland is 6-1-2 in conference play, their fewest number of losses in league play since 2012 when they were a part of the Summit League.

Doroh issued a humble thanks, saying " I am truly humbled by this award. I know how hard EVERY coach, team, and staff works around the HL. To receive the recognition of one's coaching peers is personally rewarding. But, I didn't receive this award alone, my coaching staff and players who did the work on and off the field equally deserve credit for me receiving this recognition. Thank you."

ALL-LEAGUE FIRST TEAM

Carson Ballagh | Midfielder

After an All-Freshman Team nod in 2023, Ballagh makes his way onto the All-League First Team this season. An instrumental piece to the Oakland midfield, he leads the team in assists (5), which also marks the most of any player in Horizon League matches. He closed out the regular season with five assists in four games, including three assists to game-winning goals. 

"Carson has been fantastic all season. He has been instrumental in the midfield and I am really proud of him," said Doroh. "He works hard every day and it has to be rewarding for him to see that pay off in this award."

Alex Flowers | Goalkeeper

The Goalkeeper of the Year also takes his place on the First Team. He recorded five or more saves four times this season, including 10 saves against Cleveland State, the most of any Horizon League keeper in a performance this season. He also had the lowest goals against average of any keeper in conference games (1.111).

Jace Foster | Defender

Foster makes his second consecutive All-First Team appearance, cementing himself as a mainstay as one of the top defenders in the conference. His speed on the outside of the defense not only stops other teams from creating opportunities, but he routinely is a catalyst for the offense as well, having dished out two assists on the season. Foster has started all 16 games, and has logged nearly 1,250 minutes on the season.

"Another player that has really put in the work. Jace is a joy to have in the squad and his hard work continues to bear fruit on the field. I'm proud of his accomplishments and he should be too," said Doroh.

Zach Townsend | Defender

Townsend adds the First Team nod, the first of his career, to his All-Academic spot as he closes out a wonderful season. Townsend's size, physicality, and athleticism elevate Oakland on both sides of the ball. He has scored a career-high two goals this season, including a pivotal game-winner over Wright State which ignited what is now a five game winning streak for the team.

"Zach has grown tremendously as a player. He's committed, disciplined, and receptive to instruction. He came to Oakland as a center forward, but worked very hard at his positional change to CB and it's fantastic to see him receive this recognition. He's earned it," said Doroh.

ALL-LEAGUE SECOND TEAM

Abdul Al-Rashed | Midfielder

Abdul made an immediate impact in his first season as a Golden Grizzly, earning a spot on the All-League Second Team. His four goal are tied for the most on the team. All four of his goals came in conference play, marking the fourth most league play goals of any individual in the Horizon League. His creativity and ability to cut through a defense is top-notch, and has resulted in nine shots on goal, third most on the squad.

"Abdul has been a dynamic player for us in the midfield all season. I'm really happy for Abdul and that his timely goals and quality of play has been recognized by the League," added Doroh.

See the full #HLMSOC Awards below:

2024 Horizon League Men's Soccer Award Winners
Player of the Year: Bojan Kolevski, Cleveland State
Goalkeeper of the Year: Alex Flowers, Oakland
Offensive Player of the Year: Cole Werthmuller, Wright State
Defensive Player of the Year: So Nishikawa, Green Bay
Freshman of the Year: Matteo Correia, Cleveland State
Sportsmanship Award(s): David Cox, Milwaukee & Jace Foster, Oakland
Coach of the Year: Paul Doroh, Oakland
 
All-League First Team
Bojan Kolevski, Cleveland State, Forward
Chris Album, Green Bay, Forward
So Nishikawa, Green Bay, Defender
Alejandro Martinez, Milwaukee, Forward
Carson Ballagh, Oakland, Midfielder
Alex Flowers, Oakland, Goalkeeper
Jace Foster, Oakland, Defender
Zachary Townsend, Oakland, Defender
Juan Romero, Purdue Fort Wayne, Midfielder
Chase Gilley, RMU, Midfielder
Cole Werthmuller, Wright State, Forward
 
All-League Second Team
Matteo Correia, Cleveland State, Forward
Kyle Folds, Cleveland State, Defender
Marko Rimac, Cleveland State, Forward
Drew Pierson, Detroit Mercy, Defender
Tommy Coughlin, Green Bay, Midfielder
Andrew Paolucci, Green Bay, Midfielder
Abdul Al-Rashed, Oakland, Midfielder
Andrew Hollenbach, Purdue Fort Wayne, Defender
Joshua Lane, RMU, Goalkeeper
John Paul Mbuthia, RMU, Forward
Fabian Overkamp, RMU, Defender
 
All-League Third-Team
Tom Mertz, Cleveland State, Midfielder
Josh Copeland, Detroit Mercy, Midfielder
Anass Hadran, Detroit Mercy, Midfielder
Guershom Sylvain, Detroit Mercy, Forward
Aidan Fong, Green Bay, Defender
Daniel Ibarra, Milwaukee, Goalkeeper
Mesfin Roda, Milwaukee, Forward
Wade Stinson, Northern Kentucky, Defender
Shane Anderson, Purdue Fort Wayne, Forward
Felipe Medina, Purdue Fort Wayne, Midfielder
Brock Pickett, Wright State, Defender
 
Sportsmanship Award Finalists
Luke Winters, Detroit Mercy
Jago Thompson-Roberts, IU Indianapolis
David Cox, Milwaukee*
Jace Foster, Oakland*
Nate Erre, Wright State