NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. - Five members of the Penn State New Kensington men's soccer team were recognized by the PSUAC when the conference released its year-end awards today. Freshman forward Brady Braun (Harrison City, Pa./Penn-Trafford), sophomore forward Andrew Perenic (Gibsonia, Pa./Pine-Richland), and freshman goalkeeper Christopher Zolet (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny) were included on the second team, while freshman midfielder Nolan Johngarlo (Apollo, Pa./Kiski Area) and freshman defender Zachary Rusek (Meadville, Pa./Meadville Area) received All-PSUAC honorable mention.
Braun finished second on the team with eight goals and five assists for a total of 21 points. Against Westmoreland County Community College, Braun posted a double hat trick with three goals and three assists. For his efforts, he was recognized as the PSUAC Player of the Week on Sept. 18.
Perenic was the top scorer for the Lions this season, leading the team in goals (11), assists (7), and points (29). The PSUAC and USCAA dubbed him Player of the Week on Oct. 16, after an offensively potent road trip. That week, Perenic netted three goals against Penn State Scranton and then turned around to score two more against Penn State Lehigh Valley the next day.
Zolet had a stand-out season in goal for Penn State New Kensington, earning PSUAC and USCAA Goalie of the Week two times each. He ranks second in both the PSUAC and USCAA in saves with 117 and is third and fourth, respectively, in shutouts with four.
Johngarlo tied for third on the team with six goals and was named the PSUAC Player of the Week on Oct. 2. That week, Johngarlo scored two goals, including the crucial lone goal in a 1-0 victory over Penn State Mont Alto. He also recorded a hat trick against Westmoreland County Community College.
Rusek was the defensive backbone for New Kensington and his ability to win the ball helped the Lions maintain the fifth lowest goals-against average in the conference. Rarely beaten, the freshman was good one-on-one, and his passing range allowed New Kensington to move the ball up field.
New Kensington, coached by Mark Duffield, finished third in the PSUAC with a 6-3 conference record and was 8-6 overall. The Lions advanced to the league semifinals for the third year in a row.
Click here for the complete list of honorees.