Grace College’s Ulisses Miranda was named the Crossroads League Men’s Soccer Player of the Year. InkFreeNews file photo by Mike Deak

By Mike Deak
InkFreeNews

AVON, Ohio – Grace College’s Ulisses Miranda was bestowed the top honor in the Crossroads League, being named its Player of the Year.

Miranda, who is prepping with the Lancers for the NAIA tournament this week, led the Crossroads League in points (38) and goals (16). The Crossroads season was abbreviated in 2020-21, so in Grace’s seven matches, Miranda notched seven points (three goals, one assist). Overall, Miranda’s 16 goals is tied with Bethel’s Matheus Santiago for the most in the league this season.

Santiago was named the CL Midfielder of the Year and fellow Pilot Jose Barquin was named the CL Offensive Player of the Year. Joshua Orecchio of Mount Vernon Nazarene was named the CL Defensive Player of the Year and SAU’s Josh Oakley was heralded as the CL Coach of the Year.

Grace had three others honored among the First and Second Team selections. Defender Flavio Cruz was named First Team and midfielder Ze Maria Goncalves and goalkeeper Joe Bowels were both named Second Team.

In addition to those major honors, 13 student-athletes were named Crossroads League First-Team selections, with 11 others taking home Crossroads League Second-Team honors.

The All-Crossroads League awards are voted on by the CL’s 10 head men’s soccer coaches.

2020-2021 First-Team All-Crossroads League

F-Ulisses Miranda, Grace
F-Jose Barquin, Bethel
F-Cole Russell, Spring Arbor
F-Ethan Vigario, Saint Francis
M-Matheus Santiago, Bethel
M-Tim Noeding, Bethel
M-Zoltan Suranyi, Spring Arbor
M-Zack Hargreaves, Indiana Wesleyan
D-Joao Victor De Oliveira, Bethel
D-Joshua Orecchio, Mount Vernon Nazarene
D-Flavio Cruz, Grace
D-Josh Pedretti, Saint Francis
G-Christopher Banfi, Spring Arbor

2020-2021 Second-Team All-Crossroads League

F-Philipp Basara, Indiana Wesleyan
F-Moses Magens, Mount Vernon Nazarene
F-James Jenkins, Marian
F-Lucas Bontreger, Goshen
M-Ze Maria Goncalves, Grace
M-Stuart Aeschliman, Goshen
D-Francis Kwashie, Spring Arbor
D-Lucas Melli, Indiana Wesleyan
D-Leutrim Shefkiu, Spring Arbor
D-William Dos Santos, Bethel
G-Joe Bowels, Grace

Lady Lancers Land Half Dozen On All-Crossroads

Grace had a big 2020-21 season, and were justly recognized with a half dozen players making the Crossroads League First Team and Honorable Mentions.

Forward JJ Aalbue, midfielder Victoria Lucido and Leah Moessinger were all named Crossroads League First Team. Forwards Alexis Larimore, Sacia Hanson and goalkeeper Bethany Blackwood were all named Honorable Mention All-Crossroads.

Earning top honors for the conference were Marian’s Erin Oleksak as Player of the Year, Spring Arbor’s Mackenzie Selvius as Offensive Player of the Year, Marian’s Siera Stuart as Midfielder of the Year, Marian’s Sydney Genatempo and Spring Arbor’s Becca Mindling as Co-Defensive Players of the Year, and Marian’s Allie Schlom and Spring Arbor’s Lauren Marshall as Co-Newcomers of the Year. Marian head coach Gary Yohe was tabbed as Crossroads League Coach of the Year.

2020-2021 First-Team All-Crossroads League

F-Erin Oleksak, Marian
F-Chloe Ulmer, Marian
F-Lauren Marshall, Spring Arbor
F-Lauren Turner, Indiana Wesleyan
F-JJ Aalbue, Grace
F-Morgan Orme, Taylor
F-Alexa Skal, Mount Vernon Nazarene
M-Siera Stuart, Marian
M-Allie Schlom, Marian
M-Mackenzie Selvius, Spring Arbor
M-Madison Marshall, Spring Arbor
M-Riley Spoltman, Indiana Wesleyan
M-Victoria Lucido, Grace
M-Linli Tu, Taylor
D-Sydney Genatempo, Marian
D-Becca Mindling, Spring Arbor
D-Rebekah Cotton, Spring Arbor
D-Anna Stevens, Indiana Wesleyan
D-Lea Moessinger, Grace
D-Sarah Guipe, Mount Vernon Nazarene
G-Samantha Tracey, Spring Arbor
G-Hope Stacker, Indiana Wesleyan

2020-2021 Honorable Mention All-Crossroads League

F-Sydney Brown, Indiana Wesleyan
F-Alexis Larimore, Grace
F-Sacia Hanson, Grace
F-Erin Teevans, Taylor
M-Emily Carter, Indiana Wesleyan
M-Brookelynn Semmelroth, Mount Vernon Nazarene
M-Jade Thompson, Saint Francis
M-Nicole Fosnough, Bethel
D-Hannah Dempsey, Taylor
D-Adison Preston, Mount Vernon Nazarene
D-Katie Schier, Saint Francis
D-Kalaina Stephens, Huntington
G-Bethany Blackwood, Grace
G-Lilly Jakuszewski, Mount Vernon Nazarene

Brown Earns Crossroads POW Honor

Isaac Brown of Grace’s track and field team was honored by the Crossroads League on Monday.

Brown was the league’s Field Athlete of the Week for his high jump performance.

Brown continued his stellar season in the high jump, winning the Little State Championships with a leap of 6-feet-9.75. His mark was an “A” qualifier for NAIA and just short of his personal best set two weeks ago. Brown is currently tied for the top high jump mark in the NAIA.

The Lancers’ outdoor season continues on Saturday with the Huntington Invitational