FAIRFIELD, Conn. — Following a record-setting regular season, the Sacred Heart University men's soccer team earned multiple honors from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). Daniel Losfablos was named MAAC Defender of the Year, Luca Marinelli earned MAAC Goalkeeper of the Year, and head coach Anthony Anzevui was selected as MAAC Coach of the Year. In addition, David Garcia Gallego, Ivan Morcillo, Marinelli, Losfablos, and Carlos Gonzalez Palau were named to the All-MAAC First Team, while Danny Istambouli earned All-MAAC Second Team recognition.
Sacred Heart finished the season with an 8-3-5 overall record, including a 7-0-3 mark in MAAC play, securing the program's first-ever regular-season conference title. The 29 total points accumulated this season (wins plus draws) represent the highest point total for the program since 2011. The Pioneers combined a strong defense with balanced scoring, allowing just 16 goals while producing 27 goals of their own.
Losfablos anchored the back line, providing stability and leadership in 15 matches. The graduate student helped anchor the Pioneers' defense that finished the year leading the league with a 1.00 goals-against average. Losfablos also scored goals against Canisius, Yale and FDU.
Marinelli protected the net with six shutouts and consistently strong performances. The senior from Milford, Conn. appeared in 14 games, going 8-1-3. In conference, Marinelli went 7-0-2 with an incredible 0.51 goals against average. He ranked first in the league in GAA and second in save percentage (0.788).
Offensively, Garcia Gallego led the team with 14 points on five goals and four assists, all of which were career highs for the senior. Garcia Gallego was one of two Pioneers to start in all 16 games. The León, Spain, native tallied nine points in conference (3G, 3A), including a game-winning goal against Merrimack on Sept. 27.
Morcillo finished third on the team with 11 points, tying Garcia Gallego and Istambouli with a team-leading five goals. The sophomore from Arroyomolinos, Spain, tallied a pair of game-winning goals in conference play, against Saint Peter's and Marist, the latter being a two-goal affair.
Gonzalez Palau is the second Pioneer to start all 16 games, doing so on SHU's back line. In his first season with the Pios, the Castellon, Spain, native scored one goal, the game-winner against Rider on Nov. 1.
Istambouli finished one point behind Garcia Gallego with 13 points (5G, 3A) in 13 games. The junior transfer from Danbury. Conn., tallied all 13 of his points in conference play, which included game-winning goals against Mount St. Mary's and Quinnipiac.
Under the direction of Coach Anzevui, in his fourth season overall and second in the MAAC, the Pioneers built on strong team chemistry and consistency to earn one of the program's most successful regular seasons in recent history.
Sacred Heart now turns its attention to the MAAC Tournament and will have a rematch against in-town rival #4 Fairfield University on Thursday, November 13, at 6:00 p.m. at Park Ave Field. With a historic season and top-level individual performances fueling their momentum, the Pioneers will look to continue their success in postseason play.
