OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University soccer player Alex Gang has been named Sooner Athletic Conference men's offensive player of the year announced Saturday.
Gang, a junior from Seoul, South Korea, headlined seven OCU players selected to the all-conference team.
The Stars finished the season 15-4-2 and ranked No. 25 in the NAIA. OCU came one game short of making its second straight trip to the NAIA championships.
“To get seven men on the first and second team is a wonderful feat for us at OCU,” OCU coach Brian Harvey said. “I think Alex's award is thoroughly deserved. I felt he had a tremendous year.”
Joining Gang on the first team was goalkeeper Andy Fitzpatrick, defender Chris Spendlove, midfielder John Dill, midfielder Stuart Hilton and forward Luke Garvey. Making the second team was forward Steven Short.
Gang scored 22 goals and recorded two assists on the season for team-high 46 points. His 22 goals rank seventh in the NAIA. Gang scored a season-high four goals in a 4-3 victory over Trevecca Nazarene on Sept. 12. He also had three goals in 3-2 double-overtime win at Southern Nazarene in the semifinals of the SAC Tournament on Nov. 9. Gang tallied four game-winning goals.
Fitzpatrick, a junior from Kansas City, Mo., is a two-time first-team all-conference selection. He had 73 saves in 21 matches for OCU. He put together a 1.05 goals-against average and helped the Stars to seven shutouts on the season.
Spendlove, a junior from Liverpool, England, made the first team for the second consecutive season. He had eight goals and one assist. Spendlove scored two goals, including the game winner against Cumberlands (Ky.) on Sept. 25.
Dill, a junior from Broken Arrow, Okla., is a two-time all-conference selection. He scored five goals to go a long with 10 assists. Dill ranked fourth on the team with 20 points.
Hilton, a junior from Liverpool, England, earned his second straight first-team all-conference slection. He scored five goals and dished out three assists in 2009. Hilton scored twice and had an assist in a 7-0 victory over Wayland Baptist (Texas) on Oct. 19.
Garvey, a senior from Liverpool, England, was named all-conference for the third time in his OCU career. He scored one goal to go a long with seven assists.
Short, a sophomore from Durban, South Africa, scored three goals and had a team-high 15 assists.
All-Sooner Athletic Conference
FIRST TEAM
Defenders: Ryan Frampton, Oklahoma Christian; Chris Spendlove, Oklahoma City; Ryan Allen, Southern Nazarene; Andrew Webster, Mid-America Christian.
Midfielders: John Dill, Oklahoma City Cristian Fernandes, Oklahoma Christian; Mike Bray, Southern Nazarene; Stuart Hilton, Oklahoma City; Luke Garvey, Oklahoma City.
Forwards: Mike Bray, Southern Nazarene; David Otieno, USAO; Alex Gang, Oklahoma City; Victor Costa, Oklahoma Baptist.
Goalkeepers: Kenton Farris, Southern Nazarene; Andy Fitzpatrick, Oklahoma City.
SECOND TEAM
Defenders: Aiden Ashmore, USAO; J.P. Hanger, Southern Nazarene; Steven Short, Oklahoma City; Joel Thomas, John Brown.
Midfielders: Niall Crick, USAO; Isaac Juarez, Southern Nazarene; Gabriel Duarte, John Brown; Enrique Sousa, Rogers State.
Forwards: Dez Fitzgerald, Rogers State; Eric Ouedraogo, Southern Nazarene; Juan Iraola; Igor Manfro, St. Gregory's.
Goalkeepers: Tim Spencer, Oklahoma Christian; Sean Surridge, Rogers State.
Player of the year: David Otieno, USAO.
Offensive player of the year: Alex Gang, Oklahoma City.
Defensive player of the year: Ryan Frampton, Oklahoma Christian.
Conference newcomer: David Otieno, USAO.
Goalkeeper of the year: Kenton Farris, Southern Nazarene.
Coach of the year: Jimmy Hampton, USAO.
