LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Mercyhurst men's soccer team had six representatives included in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) all-conference teams announced on Tuesday, Nov. 8^th.  Thom Derks was named PSAC Player of the Year, while Jorge Gonzalez was chosen as PSAC Freshmen of the Year. Both players were also selected to the PSAC First-Team All-Conference squad, while Mark Roche, Michael Dirienzo, Connor Wilkinson, and Kyle Johnson were chosen as PSAC Second-Team All-Conference performers. Head Coach Nenad Vidakovic was also named 2016 PSAC Coach of the Year.
 
Derks had one of the best seasons in Mercyhurst men's soccer history in 2016, compiling 22 goals in 20 games to go with six assists. Derks' 22 scores are tied for fourth in the nation and are the second-most in a single season in Mercyhurst men's soccer history, tied with 2014-standout Jack Watson. Only Anthony Maher had more goals in a season with 24 in 2001. Derks, a graduate student, had at least one goal in all 11 of the Lakers' regular-season conference games this year.
 
Gonzalez was one of several freshmen for Vidakovic's squad who had an immediate impact in his first season. Gonzalez played in 19 games with ten starts and scored 14 goals with five assists.  Some of Gonzalez's highlights throughout the season include a three-goal game against Lock Haven on Oct. 15 and a two-goal performance in the PSAC semifinals against Seton Hill on Nov. 4, which included the game-winning goal in overtime.
 
Roche was often a catalyst to help the forwards go on the attack this season and also finished with impressive numbers. Roche had four goals and five assists this season. The graduate student's biggest goal of the year came on Nov. 6 in the PSAC championship game against Millersville, when he scored the eventual game-winning goal in the second half. Roche was also named the PSAC Tournament's Most Valuable Player.
 
Wilkinson was often in the mix offensively with Derks and Gonzalez and provided another dangerous presence for opposing defenders. Wilkinson finished with three goals and eight assists in his freshman season.
 
Dirienzo provided another scoring threat for the Lakers from his right back position to go along with his solid defensive play throughout the season. He scored twice, including one game-winner, and added an assist in his senior season.
 
Johnson stabilized the Laker's defensive unit at his center back position, often marking the oppositions' top-scorers. He also chipped in offensively with three assists in his senior season.

The complete first and second-team selections along with individual award winners are listed below.

PSAC Men's Soccer Athlete of the Year: Thom Derks, Mercyhurst
PSAC Men's Soccer Defensive Athlete of the Year: Lucas Exner, California
PSAC Men's Soccer Freshman of the Year: Jorge Gonzalez, Mercyhurst
PSAC Men's Soccer Coach of the Year: Nenad Vidakovic, Mercyhurst
 
PSAC Men's Soccer First-Team All-Conference
D –Harrison Howes, Seton Hill
D – Kyle Finsterbush, Millersville
D – Tim French, West Chester
D – Sami Phelps, West Chester
F – Thom Derks, Mercyhurst
F – Hamza Mourchid, Gannon
F – Troy Amspacher, Lock Haven
F – Jorge Gonzalez, Mercyhurst
MF – Joe Smith, Seton Hill
MF – Christian Bukowski, East Stroudsburg
MF – Christopher Sosa, Millersville
MF – Rory McKinnon, Seton Hill
GK – Lucas Exner, California
 
PSAC Men's Soccer Second-Team All-Conference
D – George Stannard, Gannon
D – Michael Dirienzo, Mercyhurst
D – Kyle Johnson, Mercyhurst
D – Patrick Sullivan, Slippery Rock
F – Curtis Gallagher, Seton Hill
F – Miguel Ross, West Chester
F – Cooper Amos, California
F – Nathan Delgado, Millersville
MF – Mark Roche, Mercyhurst
MF – Sergio Kobowane, Gannon
MF – Brian Schaefer, West Chester
MF – Connor Wilkinson, Mercyhurst
GK – James Wood, West Chester

To view the official release from the PSAC, click here.