Four Huskies Earn Top Drawer Soccer Postseas

December 20, 2018

STORRS, Conn. – Four members of the UConn men’s soccer team carved out spots in two of the Top Drawer Soccer Postseason Top 100 rankings list. Seniors Abdou Mbacke Thiam and Jacob Hauser-Ramsey garnered Men’s National Top 100 Player recognition, while Felix Metzler and Ibrahima Diop were named to the Men’s Freshman Top 100 list.

Men’s National Top 100

Abdou Mbacke Thiam (53) – Mbacke Thiam’s play during the 2018 season earned himself a unanimous American Athletic Conference First Team selection after he led the Huskies in all major offensive categories – including goals (15), assists (10), points (40) and shots (84) - pacing UConn to a 12-6-2 record and a second round appearance in the NCAA Men’s Soccer Championships. He ranked second in the American in points, goals and shots, while also finishing the season tied first in assists and game-winning goals.

It was the fourth-straight season for Thiam with double-digit goals, who now finishes his UConn career tied fourth all-time in the category with 46 scores. Additionally, he earned All-East Region First Team Honors, was named AAC Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 22 and carved out five mentions on the weekly honor roll throughout 2018.

 

Jacob Hauser-Ramsey (69) – Hauser-Ramsey, the 2018 AAC Defensive Player of the Year, started in 20 matches for UConn, earning All-East Region First Team honors and his second-career selection to the AAC First Team after helping the Husky defense to a 1.25 goals against average – fifth-best in the conference. UConn had five shutout wins, third-most in the league including three during a 10-game unbeaten streak between Sept. 8 and Oct. 23 in which it limited its opponents to two goals or less and forced three shutouts.

He was selected AAC Defensive Player of the Week four times, including three consecutive selections from Oct. 2 to Oct. 16., serving as an instrumental part of the UConn backline.

Men’s Freshman Top 100

Felix Metzler (26) – Metzler started on defense in each of UConn’s 20 matches, serving as an integral part of UConn posting a 10-match unbeaten streak over the course of a month and helped the Huskies hold their opponents to 1.56 goals per game.

The 2018 AAC Rookie of the Year garnered AAC All-Conference Second Team and All-Rookie Team honors and won the AAC’s inaugural Rookie of the Week award for 2018 after burying a free kick into the upper-left corner of the net – giving the Huskies a 2-1 win on opening night.

 

Ibrahima Diop (30) – Diop appeared in 20 games with 17 starts for the Huskies, finishing the season with four goals and an assist for nine points. The freshman recorded a hat-trick in the NCAA Tournament First Round game vs. URI, scoring all three of his goals in the second half and overtime to propel UConn past the Rams, 4-3.

The Pennington, N.J. native played his way onto the AAC All-Rookie, and earned AAC Rookie of the Week recognition for Oct. 2 following his performance in UConn's victory over Memphis – the freshman forward fired three shots during the contest, two on target, and nailed one – a breakaway goal in the final minute that secured the Husky victory.

 

Trending Videos
 
IMG Academy Top 150 Rankings
see full ranking:
Boys Girls