ORLANDO – As announced by Academic All-America, the UCF men’s soccer team saw four members selected to the 2024 Academic All-District Men’s Soccer Team as voted on by College Sports Communicators.
Defenders Jonas Fritschi and Anderson Rosa, midfielder Yanis Belatrache and forward Emmanuel Bam were all recognized for the combination of their accomplishments on the field and in the classroom, with each producing a GPA of at least 3.50. Accompanying the honor received by each, the four are also now eligible for consideration on the CSC Academic All-American ballot, with the results set to be announced Dec. 10.
In punctuating his stellar five-year career as a Knight, Rosa most notably broke the program’s all-time career games played record, starting each of UCF’s 76 matches since his collegiate debut Feb. 6, 2021. An All-Conference First Team selection following the regular season, Rosa played all 1,440 minutes of the Knights’ 16 matches this fall, marking his second consecutive season with 16 matches played and the third of his career (17, 2021-22).
The defender tallied two goals, one game-winner, six assists, 32 shot attempts and 11 shots on goal, with his six assists, 32 attempts and 11 shots on goal all representing single-season career bests. His game-winning goal against Georgia State Sept. 29 marked the second of his career as well.
Fritschi was one of two Knights to win weekly conference recognition this season, garnering Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week honors after aiding UCF in shutting out South Carolina Nov. 1.
Like Rosa, Fritschi appeared in all 16 matches during the fall 2024 slate, totaling 1,391 minutes on UCF’s back line. He scored his first collegiate goal in UCF’s road match at FIU Sept. 11, and he notched a season high four shot attempts in the contest as well.
Defensively, he and Rosa anchored a defensive corps that allowed two or fewer goals in 15 of its 16 total matches, one or fewer goals in 10 matches, and three clean sheets.
Belatrache was a staple in UCF’s starting lineup as well, appearing in and starting 15 of the team’s 16 matches, totaling 1,140 minutes on the pitch. He scored one goal and added one assist while recording 12 total shot attempts, including five on goal.
His lone goal of the season came against UC Irvine Sept. 6, a go-ahead score in the 49th minute assisted by Joey Mueller that would later represent the first game-winner of his career. He also tallied a season high three shot attempts against James Madison Sept. 21.
Bam was a key member of the Knights’ offensive efforts throughout the fall, scoring a season high-tying four goals while adding two assists on the strength of 23 shot attempts, including 10 on goal. His 23 shot attempts and 10 shots on goal both marked personal season highs while he appeared in and started each of the Knights’ 16 matches, totaling 1,293 minutes on the pitch.
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