Cardinal Soccer Hands Out Season Awards
April 16, 2003 | Men's Soccer
April 16, 2003
Louisville, Ky. - The University of Louisville men's soccer team handed out their season awards at their annual postseason banquet on Sunday afternoon. The awards are voted on by the players and are announced at the annual awards banquet.
This season junior Adrian Cann was named the Most Valuable Player and was also named the Most Valuable Defensive Player. Cann was named first team All-Conference USA and was also named Conference USA Co-Defensive Player of the Year. Cann has become the most decorated Cardinal soccer player in school history.
Junior Simon Bird was named the Most Valuable Offensive Player this season. Bird went down with a broken collarbone in the first game of the season. Bird returned midway through the league schedule and helped guide the Cards to a school record seven game win streak, before falling to Saint Louis in the semifinals of the C-USA Tournament.
Sophomore Justin Pierre was named the most improved player for the 2002 season. Pierre finished the season with three goals and one assist. Sophomore Devin Matthews was named the most dedicated player. Matthews was a crucial part of the Cardinal midfield. And the Coaches' Award was given to junior Fernando Tolomelli. Tolomelli earned third team All-Conference USA honors and finished the season with three goals and four assists. Freshman Bo Schneider was given the Academic Award for excellence in the classroom.
Freshmen Jelani Grant and Matt Neely were given the Outstanding Freshman Award. Grant was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman team this season. He led the Cards with five goals and three assists. Neely was named to the Conference USA All-Tournament team. He made an immediate impact as a freshman, scoring one goal and one assist.
Senior Courtenay Commander was given the Top Soccer Award. Commander put in 1250 volunteer hours with TopSoccer over his four years at Louisville. The banquet wrapped up with recognition of the four seniors Courtenay Commander, Bryan Elkan, T.J. Newberg, and Cameron Payne.
