Western's Ryan Rose named to Little East Conference All-Star Second Team

official release from Jack Holleran - LEC Director of Communications

NORTH DARTMOUTH, MA (Nov. 8) —  The Little East Conference office announced its annual men’s soccer All-Little East teams and major award winners this afternoon after a vote by the conference’s eight head coaches. University of Massachusetts Boston sophomore forward Stefanos Galouzis (Watertown, Mass.) was selected as the Offensive Player of the Year, while Eastern Connecticut State University senior back Aaron Smiles (Bedford, Mass.) was named the Defensive Player of the Year. University of Massachusetts Dartmouth freshman forward Nick Gontijo (Hudson, Mass.) earned the Rookie of the Year Award, while Dr. Ron Butcher was tabbed as the Coach of the Year for the second-straight season. Plymouth State University completed the major awards program as the Team Sportsmanship Award winners for the second consecutive year.

Western Connecticut State University's senior midfielder Ryan Rose (Bethel, CT) was named to the LEC All-Conference Second Team. This past season, he led the Colonials, along with Max Schneider (New Milford, CT), with two goals and one assist for five total points. Rose's goal proved to be the game-winning marker in Western's lone victory against Albertus Magnus, back in the season opener on September 1.

In addition to the major awards program, the Little East honored 25 student-athletes on the all-conference teams. The first team was comprised of 13 players, while the second team was represented by 12 student-athletes.

Galouzis is just the second Beacon to earn the coveted top offensive player award and first since Carlos Fernandes headlined the major awards program in 1996. The sophomore striker from Watertown, Mass. is also making his second-straight appearance on the All-Little East, first-team. Galouzis currently ranks among the national leaders in points per game (33rd, 1.94). The 2010 Little East Rookie of the Year sits atop the conference standings in points (31), while ranking second in goals (12) and assists (7). A starter in a 16 matches, Galouzis recorded at least one point in nine contests to post the sixth highest UMass Boston single-season total in program history. He registered a season-best seven points, including a hat trick, in the Beacons’ season-opening victory at Suffolk University on Sept. 7.  Galouzis delivered the game-winning strike twice on the campaign at Becker College and against Plymouth State. He was selected as the conference’s top offensive performer of the week twice on the season.

Smiles is the second Warrior to be honored as the top defensive player in the Little East and first since Jay Barney captured the award in 2006 and 2007. The Bedford, Mass. product is also making his third consecutive appearance on the All-Little East, first-team and fourth overall. Smiles anchored one of the most dominant defensive third in the nation, ranking fourth in shutout percentage (.650) and sixth in team goals against average (0.49). Eastern Connecticut allowed the least amount of goals (10) in the conference circuit, while posting the most shutouts (13). Six of the Warriors shutouts came against Little East opponents. Eastern Connecticut limited the opposition to one of fewer markers in 18 out of its 20 matches. Smiles contributed to the offensive rush with four assists for four total points. He recorded the helper in the double-overtime victory over conference rival Rhode Island College on Sept. 17. Smiles was named the Little East Defensive Player of the Week three times on the campaign.

Gontijo is the third Corsair to be selected as the top rookie in the conference and first since Michael Alves in 2007. The striker from Hudson, Mass. is also making his debut on the All-Little East, first-team. Gontijo made an immediate impact in the UMass Dartmouth starting lineup, ranking third in the Little East in points (24), goals (10), and game-winning goals (3). He made his first collegiate marker count against Eastern Nazarene by producing the game-winner. Gontijo found the back of the net in seven matches, including scoring multiple goals twice. He registered his first hat trick for a season-best six points at then-nationally-ranked Roger Williams University on Oct. 4. Gontijo was tabbed as the conference’s top rookie performer twice on the season.

Butcher is making his second-straight and fourth overall appearance as the Little East Coach of the Year. He guided Keene State to an overall record of 11-8-1, marking the 14th time in the past 15 years the Owls have reached double digits in victories since moving to Division III in 1997. Keene State played a grueling schedule in 2011 with seven of its 19 opponents earning a berth into the NCAA tournament. The Owls posted a 5-2 mark within the conference circuit to earn the No. 2 seed in the annual Little East Men’s Soccer Championship Tournament. Keene State edged Rhode Island College, 3-2, in overtime to reach to the program’s ninth championship final. Butcher mentored three student-athletes on the All-Little East teams, including two first-team selections.   
 
Formed in 1986, the Little East serves as New England's premier athletic conference for public institutions in NCAA Division III.  Featuring 19 championship sports, the Little East sponsors quality competition in every season for our student athletes.  Our eight state colleges and universities dedicate themselves to an ongoing fulfillment of the Division III mission of passion, responsibility, sportsmanship, and citizenship.