TicketsFeb. 13, 2006
-- The University of Cincinnati men's soccer team held its annual awards banquet on Feb. 12 at the Vernon Manor Hotel. The team honored its players, coaches, families, and support staff and recapped the highlights of a 2005 season that saw UC post a 10-7-2 overall mark and a 6-4-2 ledger in its first season in the highly-competitive BIG EAST Conference.
Junior forward Omar Cummings (, /) took home the top honor, winning the team Most Valuable Player award. Cummings scored seven goals and added seven assists to tie teammate Kenny Anaba (, / Christian) for the team lead with 21 points. Anaba earned the team's Most Improved Award, starting all 19 matches and leading the Bearcats with nine goals as a sophomore. He played in 14 matches in 2004 and registered two assists, but did not find the goal as a freshman.
The Newcomer of the Year award was split by freshman forward Dominic Oppong (, /Cardinal Newman) and redshirt freshman defender Brad Simpson (, /). Oppong saw action in 17 matches and scored the game-winner in the season-opener against . Simpson started 15 matches in the backline, solidifying a defense that allowed only 23 goals in 19 matches.
The Coach's Award for Academic Excellence was also split, being shared by senior Matt Hayden (Colorado Springs, Colo./Liberty) and sophomore Kevin Schrand (Cincinnati, Ohio/Lakota West). Hayden was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District first team for the third time in his career. Hayden was also the recipient of the DiCarlo Award, presented to the player who best represents the Bearcats, the university and the game of soccer.
The Bearcat Award, given to the player who most exemplifies the spirit of UC Soccer, was awarded to junior Mike Dwyer (, / Country Day). Dwyer scored four goals and had three assists for 11 points, good for third on the squad.
Junior Kwame Sarkodie (/Carroll) earned the Mr. Bearcat Award, which is given to the player who scores the highest in UC's offseason conditioning tests.
The Bearcats will open their spring schedule with a trip to to take on the U.S. U-17 National Team on March 22 in