WALTHAM, Mass. – Six members of the ECAC Division III New England championship Brandeis University men's soccer team have earned post-season honors from the University Athletic Association (UAA) and the National Soccer Coaches Association of American (NSCAA). Senior central midfielder Theo Terris of Concord, Mass., was a first-team All-UAA and All-New England South selection, while senior back Ari Silver of Princeton, N.J., and junior forward Sam Ocel of No. Attleboro, Mass., were second-team selections by both organizations.
Terris, who was a second-team All-UAA team member in 2010, earns his first All-New England nod. He finished the season with five goals and eight assists for 23 points, including a goal and assist in UAA play. His eight assists were tied for third in the Association. Terris scored a pair of game-winning goals this season on back-to-back days in 4-0 wins over Wentworth and Colby-Sawyer on Sept. 27 and 28.
Silver, a second-team All-UAA selection for the second year in a row after earning honorable-mention honors as a sophomore, also earns his second All-Region honor. Silver is a three-year starter who helped the Judges lead the UAA and rank among the leaders in NCAA Division play in shutouts per game (0.62, 7th), and goals-against average (0.51, 8th).
Ocel was honored by the UAA and the NSCAA for the first time. He was one of the team's leading scorers as a rookie in 2009 before missing his sophomore campaign due to injury. Ocel bounced back in 2011 to finish second on the squad with eight goals, seven assists and 23 points. He had three goals in UAA play, including two in a four-minute span that helped the Judges defeat rival NYU, 2-0, in the final game of the regular season on Nov. 5. Ocel will enter his senior season with 29 points on nine goals and 11 assists.
In addition, three different Judges, senior back David McCoy of Weymouth, Mass., junior goalkeeper Blake Minchoff of Fiskdale, Mass., and junior forward Lee Russo of Westford, Mass., were honorable mention All-UAA selections. McCoy was recognized by the UAA for the second time in his career as a defensive anchor as Brandeis put a tremendous defensive season. Minchoff led the UAA with 12 shutouts, one shy of a school record, and was nationally-ranked in goals-against average (0.51, seventh) and save percentage (0.864, 20th). Russo was the team's leading scorer with nine goals and six assists for 24 points, reaching the school's 50-point club. He will enter the 2012 season 21st on Brandeis's career scoring list.
The Brandeis men's soccer team had its best season since 1997 in head coach Michael Coven's 39th season. The Judges finished 15-5-1 and successfully defended their ECAC Division III New England tournament title. They led the UAA in all three defensive categories, goals-against average, shutout percentage and save percentage, and were second in the circuit with 2.48 goals-per-game. The Judges will return five of their top eight scorers for the 2012 campagin.
Terris is a 2008 graduate of Concord-Carlisle Regional High School. He is the son of Daniel and Massie Terris, Concord, Mass.
Silver is a 2008 graduate of Princeton High School. He is the son of Lee and Susan Silver, Princeton, N.J.
Ocel is a 2009 graduate of No. Attleboro, Mass. He is the son of Jeffrey and Pamela Ocel, No. Attleboro, Mass.
Minchoff is a 2009 graduate of Tantasqua Regional High School. He is the son of Danny and Lori Minchoff, Fiskdale, Mass.
McCoy is a 2008 graduate of Catholic Memorial School. He is the son of Roy and Jeanne McCoy, Weymouth, Mass.
Russo is a 2009 graduate of Westford Academy. He is the son of Joseph and Mary Russo, Westford, Mass.