DeLAND, Fla. — Stetson men's soccer freshman Junior Essengue has been named the 2026 ASUN Freshman of the Year, highlighting a group of five Hatters recognized for their performances on the field and in the classroom as the conference announced its postseason awards. Graduate student Afonso Conde earned All-ASUN First Team honors, sophomore Valentin Fontaine was selected to the Second Team, and Essengue was joined by Matthew Perez and Murillo Mello on the ASUN All-Freshman Team. All five student-athletes also earned Academic All-ASUN recognition.
The honors continue an impressive stretch of individual success under head coach Emmett Rutkowski, who has now guided three players to ASUN Freshman of the Year recognition in the last six seasons. Essengue joins Nelson Pereira (2021) and Xavi Csato (2023) as recipients of the award during Rutkowski's tenure, reflecting the program's continued commitment to recruiting and developing young talent.
Stetson has also established a strong tradition of freshman recognition, producing 16 ASUN All-Freshman Team selections since 2021. With three honorees this season, the Hatters have placed multiple players on the team in six consecutive seasons, further demonstrating the program's consistency in developing newcomers into immediate contributors.
Essengue Headlines All-Freshman Trio
Essengue earned the conference's top freshman honor after establishing himself as a key piece of Stetson's defensive unit in his debut campaign. The freshman defender appeared in all 17 regular-season matches, making 15 starts while logging 1,237 minutes, one of the highest totals on the team. His composure, physical presence and consistency along the back line helped anchor the Hatters' defense throughout the season.
Beyond his defensive contributions, Essengue added a goal and two assists for four points, including the game-winning goal in Stetson's 3-2 conference victory over Jacksonville. His ability to contribute on both ends of the field made him an integral part of the Hatters' lineup and earned him recognition as one of the ASUN's top newcomers.
Joining Essengue on the All-Freshman Team is Perez, who provided an immediate offensive spark during his first collegiate season. The freshman appeared in 12 matches with six starts, recording three goals and two assists for eight points. His 23 shots and 11 attempts on goal demonstrated his ability to consistently create scoring opportunities, while his contributions helped fuel one of the conference's most productive offenses.
Perez found the back of the net against West Florida, UCF and South Florida, providing timely production as Stetson worked its way through the regular season. His emergence added another scoring option to an attacking unit that finished second in the ASUN with 31 goals.
Mello rounds out the Hatters' three All-Freshman selections after establishing himself as a reliable presence in goal. The freshman goalkeeper made 10 starts and recorded 31 saves, a 1.16 goals-against average and a .738 save percentage while posting two shutouts.
One of Mello's strongest performances came in Stetson's postseason-clinching 2-2 draw at FGCU, where he made a season-high nine saves, including seven in the second half. His performance helped the Hatters secure a crucial road point and officially punch their ticket to the ASUN Championship.
Conde and Fontaine Earn First Career All-ASUN Honors
While Stetson's freshman class collected three honors, Conde and Fontaine were recognized for their contributions to the Hatters' offensive success, each earning All-ASUN recognition for the first time in their careers.
Conde earned First Team honors after leading Stetson in goals and points throughout the regular season. The graduate student appeared in 16 matches with 13 starts, recording six goals and an assist for 13 points. His three game-winning goals also led the team, underscoring his ability to deliver in important moments.
The Lisbon, Portugal, native enjoyed several standout performances, including a two-goal outing in Stetson's 4-1 victory at Lipscomb and a goal and an assist in the Hatters' 3-2 win over Jacksonville. He also found the back of the net against West Florida and Florida Poly, helping lead an offensive resurgence that saw Stetson score 22 goals across its final seven regular-season matches.
Conde's selection marks another milestone in his development since arriving in DeLand. A 2023 ASUN All-Freshman Team honoree, he has grown into one of the Hatters' most important attacking players and now adds First Team All-ASUN recognition to his collegiate résumé.
Fontaine earned a place on the All-ASUN Second Team following a strong sophomore campaign in which he finished second on the team with four goals and nine points. Appearing in all 17 matches with 15 starts, Fontaine played 1,263 minutes and established himself as a consistent presence in Stetson's midfield.
His biggest performance came at FGCU on October 24, when he scored both Stetson goals in a 2-2 draw that secured the Hatters' postseason berth. Fontaine opened the scoring in the first half before restoring Stetson's lead after halftime, completing his first brace of the season. He also contributed goals against South Florida and Jacksonville during the Hatters' productive October stretch.
Like Conde, Fontaine's recognition reflects his continued growth within the program. After earning ASUN All-Freshman Team honors in 2025, he has taken another step forward in his second collegiate season, earning his first career All-ASUN selection.
Five Hatters Earn Academic All-ASUN Recognition
Stetson's success extended beyond the field, as all five postseason honorees also received Academic All-ASUN recognition. Conde, Fontaine, Essengue, Perez and Mello were recognized for their commitment to academic excellence while balancing the demands of competing at the Division I level.
To earn Academic All-ASUN recognition, undergraduate student-athletes must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.50, participate in at least half of their team's contests and meet established academic progress and enrollment requirements. Graduate student-athletes must also maintain a cumulative 3.50 GPA and participate in at least 50 percent of their team's contests.
The recognition highlights the program's continued emphasis on success in the classroom alongside its accomplishments on the field, with all five Hatters demonstrating the ability to excel academically while contributing to the team's postseason campaign.
Looking Ahead to the ASUN Championship
With the regular season complete, Stetson now turns its attention to the 2026 ASUN Men's Soccer Championship, where the fourth-seeded Hatters will face No. 5 Bellarmine in Saturday's opening round at Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET, with the winner advancing to Monday's semifinal against top-seeded North Florida, also in Jacksonville. The championship match is scheduled for Saturday, November 14, with the conference's automatic NCAA Tournament berth on the line.
Stetson (6-8-3, 3-4-1 ASUN) will look to build on last season's postseason success, when the Hatters rallied past Central Arkansas in the opening round to advance to the semifinals. The Hatters and Knights are no strangers to one another in tournament play, having previously met in the 2022 quarterfinals and 2023 semifinals.
Saturday's matchup will be streamed on ESPN+, with live statistics and additional championship coverage available at GoHatters.com.
About Stetson Athletics
At Stetson University, student-athletes don't just compete—they thrive. Located in historic DeLand, Florida, between Orlando and Daytona Beach, Stetson offers the perfect blend of competitive athletics, academic excellence, and an unbeatable Central Florida lifestyle. As the oldest private university in the region, Stetson supports approximately 500 student-athletes across 19 NCAA Division I sports. Nicknamed the "Hatters" after the institution's namesake John B. Stetson, a hat manufacturer who originated the modern-day cowboy hat, most Stetson athletic teams compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference, where they proudly hold the longest active membership since 1985. With top-tier facilities, personalized support, and a welcoming campus community, Stetson is where students can grow, compete, and succeed. Learn more at GoHatters.com or follow social media accounts @StetsonHatters.
