Three Pioneers Earn All-NEC Recognition
11/7/2023 2:15:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Etienne Murugarren awarded First Team All-NEC
SOMERSET, N.J. – Heading into its second consecutive Northeast Conference semifinal, the Sacred Heart University men's soccer team has earned three All-Conference selections, the Northeast Conference (NEC) announced Tuesday afternoon.
For the first time, captain defender Etienne Murugarren captured First Team All-NEC honors after being awarded Second Team All-NEC in 2021 and 2022. He started all 16 regular season games and is has the most minutes out of the field players. Murugarren has contributed to the team's 1.22 goals against average and five shutouts.
Sophomore forward David Garcia Gallego earned his second consecutive Second Team All-NEC nod after receiving it his first year as a Pioneer as well as the All-Rookie Team. He started all 16 regular season games with four goals, four assists and 22 shots on goal. Garcia Gallego tabbed two game-winning goals against Siena and Columbia.
First-year forward Alex Almuzara was named to the All-Rookie team. He played in all 16 regular season games, starting in 13 of them. He has tallied a goal and two assists with 11 shots on goal.
The Pioneers finished their regular season seeded fourth with a 3-2-3, (6-7-3 NEC) record. SHU tied Merrimack on Sunday, November 5th, in the Northeast Conference quarterfinals, 1-1, and advanced to the semifinals with a 5-4 win in penalty kicks. The Pioneers will face SFU on Thursday, November 9th, at 1:30 p.m. in the NEC semifinals.
For the first time, captain defender Etienne Murugarren captured First Team All-NEC honors after being awarded Second Team All-NEC in 2021 and 2022. He started all 16 regular season games and is has the most minutes out of the field players. Murugarren has contributed to the team's 1.22 goals against average and five shutouts.
Sophomore forward David Garcia Gallego earned his second consecutive Second Team All-NEC nod after receiving it his first year as a Pioneer as well as the All-Rookie Team. He started all 16 regular season games with four goals, four assists and 22 shots on goal. Garcia Gallego tabbed two game-winning goals against Siena and Columbia.
First-year forward Alex Almuzara was named to the All-Rookie team. He played in all 16 regular season games, starting in 13 of them. He has tallied a goal and two assists with 11 shots on goal.
The Pioneers finished their regular season seeded fourth with a 3-2-3, (6-7-3 NEC) record. SHU tied Merrimack on Sunday, November 5th, in the Northeast Conference quarterfinals, 1-1, and advanced to the semifinals with a 5-4 win in penalty kicks. The Pioneers will face SFU on Thursday, November 9th, at 1:30 p.m. in the NEC semifinals.
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's SoccerMAAC Championship - Sacred Heart v Siena (International Stream)
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Sacred Heart v Fairfield (International Stream)
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Sacred Heart v Iona (International Stream)
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