VWC's Massie Named ODAC's Top Player

VWC's Massie Named ODAC's Top Player

RC's Allison and Stark, BC's Thomas Honored

SALEM, Va. --- Virginia Wesleyan College striker Brandon Massie was named the ODAC Men's Soccer Player of the Year for the second straight season in the annual all-conference voting of the league's coaches.  Roanoke College head coach Scott Allison was tabbed as the Coach of the Year while fellow Maroon Michael Stark received Rookie of the Year honors.  Bridgewater College forward Chris Thomas was awarded as the ODAC/Farm Bureau Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

Massie picks up his third major award in as many seasons in the ODAC, having won the league's top rookie as a freshman and last year's best player honor.  The junior Chesapeake-native finished the season atop the ODAC's charts in goals scored with 17.  He also dished out five assists for 39 total points, second in the league to BC's Thomas.  He scored two or more goals in seven games including a consecutive stretch of four games in which he beat the keeper two times each.  Massie has a chance to move into and top several ODAC top-10 lists next season.  He currently boasts 41 goals and 19 assists for 101 points in his three seasons, just short of the historical ranks in each.

Allison, who just completed his 23rd season on the Maroon sidelines, also serves as the Roanoke Director of Athletics.  This year's honor marks the seventh for Allison, having last earned the award in 2004.  The Maroons posted a 14-4-2 overall record with an 8-1-1 ODAC mark to secure the top seed in the league's postseason tournament.  Eight Maroons earned spots on the All-ODAC first or second teams to go along with Stark and Allison's honors.  The Maroons were eliminated from the postseason in the ODAC Championship by Virginia Wesleyan. 

Stark made an immediate impact in the Maroons back four following his transfer from Coastal Carolina.  The Newport News-native anchored the center of the top-rated defense in the conference, having surrendered only four goals through Roanoke's 20-game schedule.  Stark made his way into the offensive third of the pitch on select occasions, scoring once while handing out an assist.

Thomas got the job done both between the lines as well as within Bridgewater's classrooms.  The senior Bowie, Maryland-native maintains a 3.904 grade point average while majoring in international studies and Spanish.  He is a three-time member of the All-ODAC Academic Team, and was recently named to the 2008 ESPN The Magazine All-District III Academic First Team, making him eligible for Academic All-America honors.  On the field, Thomas led the ODAC with 40 points and 12 assists, finishing in a tie for second with 14 goals, the most in Eagles history.  He is Bridgewater's all-time leader in goals (35), assists (26) and points (96).

Listed below are the 2008 ODAC Men's Soccer All-Conference Teams.  For more information on ODAC Men's Soccer, visit any of the member schools' websites or go to the ODAC's home on the Internet at www.odaconline.com.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Brandon Massie, Virginia Wesleyan

COACH OF THE YEAR
Scott Allison, Roanoke

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Michael Stark, Roanoke

ODAC/FARM BUREAU SCHOLAR-ATHLETE
Chris Thomas, Bridgewater

ALL-ODAC FIRST TEAM
Patrick Brown, M, Lynchburg
Shaman Douglass, F, Roanoke
Taylor Johnston, M, Roanoke
Brandon Massie, F, Virginia Wesleyan
Jackson Maust, GK, Eastern Mennonite
Kevan Quinn, D, Randolph-Macon
Eddy Ratianarivo, M, Randolph
Will Robertson, F, Hampden-Sydney
Hunter Smith, D, Lynchburg
Michael Stark, D, Roanoke
Matt Swaney, D, Hampden-Sydney
Chris Thomas, F, Bridgewater
Nate Wilson, M, Roanoke

ALL-ODAC SECOND TEAM
Jonathan Bolton, F, Randolph
Regulo Cardoso, M, Eastern Mennonite
Lonnie Carter, D, Virginia Wesleyan
P.J. Henson, F, Emory & Henry
Michael Krewinghaus, M, Hampden-Sydney
Mitchell Leap, F, Eastern Mennonite
Cameron Lee, D, Roanoke
Scott Meguid, F, Guilford
Josh Reed, M, Lynchburg
Michael Rouhana, M, Roanoke
Adam Thompson, GK, Roanoke
Jared Troyer, D, Eastern Mennonite
Michael Walter, D, Roanoke

ALL-ODAC HONORABLE MENTION
Tim Berke, D, Guilford
Chris Collins, M, Roanoke
Matt Hampton, M, Hampden-Sydney
Trip Henning, M, Eastern Mennonite
Scott Landolt, M, Randolph-Macon
Zane Lineberry, GK, Bridgewater
Robbie Mann, F, Virginia Wesleyan
Fletcher McCraw, D, Washington and Lee
Chris O'Conner, D, Emory & Henry
Justin Stephens, D, Randolph
Matt Sturdivant, GK, Lynchburg

All-ODAC SPORTSMANSHIP TEAM
Adam Beck, M, Virginia Wesleyan
Jason Butler, M, Hampden-Sydney
Peter Deng, D, Guilford
Matt Dunnum, M, Lynchburg
Aaron Humphreys, GK, Randolph
Whitt Larkin, F, Washington and Lee
David Lynch, D/M, Randolph-Macon
Travis Morris, GK, Bridgewater
Chris O'Conner, D, Emory & Henry
Adam Thompson, GK, Roanoke
Mitchell Yoder, M/D, Eastern Mennonite