ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – After pacing the league with six goals during conference play, junior midfielder Matias Pyysalo was named the American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year on Wednesday.
The Helsinki, Finland, native was also named to The American's All-Conference First Team. The Knights were also represented by freshman midfielder Brian Jamba, who was named to The American All-Rookie Team.
"I am excited for Matias because all his hard work from last spring through the summer has paid off," head coach Bryan Cunningham said. "There is not a player who spends more time out on that practice field. He is committed to UCF and not only to making himself better, but making his team better. Without his contributions this year, we would not be playing in a semifinal on Friday night."
Pyysalo scored six of his 10 goals in league play, leading the league with 14 points and three game-winning goals. He notched the overtime winner to help the Knights knock off No. 24 UConn for the first time in school history on Oct. 22.
The seventh game winner came on Nov. 5 against Cincinnati, when his shot hit off the far post and ricocheted into the net. The marker helped the Knights into the American Athletic Conference Championship tournament.
Nationally, Pyysalo ranks 11th in goals per game and points per game, and 42nd in game-winning goals.
A two-time American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week in 2016, Pyysalo has earned the honor three times during his tenure with the Knights. He is the second from UCF to earn The American Player of the Year nod, joining Romario Williams who collected the honor in 2013.
Jamba earned a spot on the All-Rookie team after starting all 15 matches in the midfield as a freshman.
"We knew that he was a good player when we recruited him," Cunningham said. "We are happy that he is being recognized for a stellar campaign."
The Narooma, Australia, native netted his first collegiate goal on a beautiful strike from 30-yards out into the upper 90 in UCF's upset win over No. 24 UConn. Jamba tallied a goal and an assist while registering 11 shots during his rookie campaign.
The Knights finished fourth in The American standings and clinched a spot in the league tournament. UCF takes on regular season champion USF on Friday at 7 p.m. in Tampa.
2016 American Athletic Conference Men's Soccer Awards
Offensive Player of the Year
Matias Pyysalo, UCF
Defensive Player of the Year
Prosper Figbe, USF
Midfielder of the Year
Adam Wilson, Cincinnati
Goalkeeper of the Year
Spasoje Stefanovic, USF
Rookie of the Year
Garrett McLaughlin, SMU
Coaching Staff of the Year
USF
Team Fair Play Award
UConn
First Team All-Conference
Matias Pyysalo, M, UCF
Adam Wilson, M, Cincinnati
*Kwame Awuah, M, UConn
*Abdou Mbacke Thiam, F, UConn
Jake Nerwinski, B, UConn
Nazeem Bartman, F, USF
Prosper Figbe, B, USF
Lindo Mfeka, M, USF
Spasoje Stefanovic, GK, USF
*Jorge Gomez Sanchez, F, Temple
Carlos Moros Gracia, B, Temple
Second Team All-Conference
Patrick Nielsen, B, Cincinnati,
Simen Olafsen, B, UConn
Raul Gonzalez, M, Memphis
Joonas Jokinen, F, Temple
Melvin Becket, F, USF
Jordan Cano, B, SMU
Mauro Cichero, M, SMU
Jake McGuire, GK, Tulsa
Matt Puig, F, Tulsa
Ray Saari, M, Tulsa
Zack Stavrou, B, Tulsa
All-Rookie Team
Brian Jamba, M, UCF
Ryan Melink, M, Cincinnati
Patrick Nielsen, B, Cincinnati,
David Sanz, M, Cincinnati
Niko Petridis, M, UConn
Munir Saleh, M, UConn
Jackson Morse, M, Memphis
*Garrett McLaughlin, F, SMU
Albert Moreno, M, Temple
*Alejandro Chavez, B, Tulsa
Matt Puig, F, Tulsa
