AUSTINTOWN, Ohio - The Wilmington College men's soccer team had five individuals earn All-Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) honors as the league announced its men's soccer teams on Friday morning.
Elorm Dogbey, who was named Forward of the Year, Zach Burgmeier, who was named Defender of the Year and Ian Molfenter were the trio of Fightin' Quakers to garner First Team honors. Both Brady Shapiro and Yusef Muqtadir were named Honorable Mention All-OAC. The five individuals to earn All-OAC honors mark the most in a single year since 2006 and the first time the program has had three First Team honors since 2004.
"It's amazing to see these guys recognized for all their hard work and dedication they've put into our program," Head Men's Soccer Coach Alex Van der Sluijs said. "This conference is so difficult, so it's especially humbling to have the representation we have here. I absolutely love this team."
Dogbey, named to the All-OAC Tournament team last weekend, led Wilmington offensively with five goals, four assists and 14 points. Molftenter was the other Quaker to tally double-digits in points (10) on four goals and two assists. One of Molfenter's goals opened the scoring for Wilmington in a 2-1 victory over Capital University in an OAC Tournament quarterfinal at Williams Stadium. The other goal-scorer in that contest was Muqtadir, his fourth of the season.
"Elorm receiving this award makes me emotional," said Van der Sluijs, who was Wilmington's last individual to win the award in 2006. "He is the best example of believing in the process. From not playing at all his freshman year to having the impact he did this season is remarkable. I don't think I've ever coached a player that has learned and developed so fast. The best is yet to come for him."
Burgmeier and Shapiro, both of whom contributed offensively with eight and six points respectively, anchored a Quaker defense that shut out five opponents on the season.
"I am so honored to coach Zach and be a part of his development into the player and teammate he is," Van der Sluijs said. "He is such a talented soccer player, and we've used him at about every position. He was a monster all season at left back and is so deserving of this award."
Wilmington finished its 2021 spring season with a 7-3-1 overall record. The Quakers qualified for their first OAC Tournament since 2012 and won their first postseason contest in 15 years.
