Men's Soccer November 04, 2021 Athletics Communications

Pereira named ASUN Freshman of the Year, six others honored

Atlanta, Ga. -- The Stetson University men's soccer program earned four spots on both the Atlantic Sun All-Conference team and the All-Freshman team, highlighted by Nelson Pereira earning Freshman of the Year, as the league announced its postseason awards Thursday afternoon.

Hatters defender Alvaro Gabancho joined Pereira on the All-Conference first-team while sophomore midfielder Gio Rodriguez and senior defender William Suaut were both named All-Conference second-team. Pereira was also joined by fellow freshmen Alessandro Gabbani, Steven Johnson-Fikula, and Gabriel Toro on the ASUN All-Freshman team.

Pereira, a native of Silveira, Portugal, played in 14 matches, making nine starts and totaling 797 minutes. The freshman led both the Hatters and the ASUN in goals with seven and in total points with 16 while adding two assists. The first-year Hatter also recorded two game-winning goals with the biggest coming in a 2-1 overtime win over Central Arkansas back on Oct. 9. Pereira is the program's second freshman of the year and first since Deniz Dogan in 2017.

Gabancho, a native of Gijon, Spain, has been a pivotal asset to the Stetson back line as the sophomore played in 12 matches, starting in all 12, and totaling 1209 minutes, the most for any player on the Hatters. Gabancho has eight shots on the year with four on goal.

Rodriguez, a sophomore from Pompano Beach, played 14 matches, making 13 starts and totaled 960 minutes. Rodriguez has three points and 10 shots on the year as his three assists lead the Hatters. Suaut joins Rodriguez on the All-Conference second team as the senior from Nice, France has competed in 13 matches, starting in all 13. Suaut has played 90 minutes or more 10 times, totaling 1104 minutes while also netting a goal and adding an assist.

Gabbani, a native of Rome, Italy, played in 11 matches in the regular season, making 10 starts for a dominant Stetson midfield. On the year, Gabbani totaled 915 minutes, amassing 90 minutes or more in the final three matches of the regular season.

Johnson-Fikula, a Nottingham, England native, has been a key cog in the Hatters defense, starting all 13 matches he played and totaling 1042 minutes.

Toro, a forward from Sanford, played in 14 of the Hatters 15 matches, making five starts. His lone goal on the year propelled Stetson to a 2-2 draw against Campbell back on Sept. 5 and his two assists are good for second on the Hatters.

This is the second time in the last three seasons that Stetson's men's soccer program boasted four All-Conference players and the first time since 2014 that the program saw four freshmen named to the All-Freshman team.

Stetson concluded its regular season with a 7-6-2 overall record and 4-3-0 in ASUN action, as the Hatters wound up the No. 4 seed in the conference tournament. The Hatters are set to take on Liberty University in the ASUN Quarterfinals on Friday, Nov. 5 at host site Lipscomb University. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. EST.

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Players Mentioned

#10 Gio Rodriguez: M; 5' 9"; Sophomore

#6 William Suaut: M; 6' 1"; Senior

#5 Steven Johnson-Fikula: D; 6' 3"; Freshman

#2 Alvaro Gabancho: D; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#29 Alessandro Gabbani: M; 6' 2"; Freshman

#9 Nelson Pereira: F; 5' 9"; Freshman

#27 Gabriel Toro: M; 5' 8"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#10 Gio Rodriguez
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: M

#6 William Suaut
: 6' 1"; Senior
: M

#5 Steven Johnson-Fikula
: 6' 3"; Freshman
: D

#2 Alvaro Gabancho
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: D

#29 Alessandro Gabbani
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: M

#9 Nelson Pereira
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: F

#27 Gabriel Toro
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: M

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Pereira named ASUN Freshman of the Year, six others honored

Players Mentioned

#10 Gio Rodriguez

#6 William Suaut

#5 Steven Johnson-Fikula

#2 Alvaro Gabancho

#29 Alessandro Gabbani

#9 Nelson Pereira

#27 Gabriel Toro

Players Mentioned

#10 Gio Rodriguez

#6 William Suaut

#5 Steven Johnson-Fikula

#2 Alvaro Gabancho

#29 Alessandro Gabbani

#9 Nelson Pereira

#27 Gabriel Toro