2003 NESCAC Men's Soccer All-Conference Teams Announced

Williams' Stephenson Named Player of the Year for Second Consecutive Season

HARTFORD, Conn. – Williams senior Khari Stephenson was named the 2003 NESCAC Player of the Year by the conference coaches. Stephenson, a first-team All-American in 2002, led the conference in goals (15) and points (34) as Williams won their third straight NESCAC Championship.

Stephenson is joined on the first team by senior forward Ryan Olsen. Olsen, a second team selection in 2002, contributed seven assists for a Williams squad that is 13-1-1 and currently ranked third in the nation.

Bowdoin placed four members on the all-conference first team. Junior forward Bobby Desilets finished second in the conference in points (28) and goals (12). Sophomore midfielder Andrew Russo led the Polar Bears with six assists and added eight goals for a Bowdoin squad that finished 13-2-2 and earned an NCAA Division III Men’s Soccer Championship bid. Junior defender Danny Sullivan and senior goalkeeper Travis Derr were also named to the all-conference first squad. Sullivan and Derr combined to post eight shutouts this season and have allowed only three goals in the team’s last 11 games.

Middlebury senior defenders Pat Saunders and Jason Griffiths were both honored on the all-conference squad. Griffiths, a two-time first-team selection, and Saunders anchored a defense which led the league in scoring defense allowing just 9 goals in 16 games.

A trio of seniors, Amherst’s Franklin Perry, Trinity’s Phil Flakes and Wesleyan’s Nick Vincent, round out the first team selections. Flakes, earned all-conference recognition for the fourth time. Trinity’s senior midfielder was a first team honoree in 2000, 2002 and again this season. Perry, the 2000 Rookie of the Year and second-team honoree each of the past two seasons, led Amherst with nine goals and 19 points from his forward position. Vincent, a senior defender, earned first-team honors after being named to the second team a year ago.

Williams’ Brett Olsen, brother of first team selection Ryan Olsen, was named NESCAC Rookie of the Year. Olsen scored eight goals and added seven assists helping the Ephs to their third straight NCAA Championship appearance.

Williams head coach Mike Russo was recognized by his peers as the NESCAC Coach of the Year. After dropping the season opener, Russo’s squad is unbeaten in 14 consecutive contests.

NESCAC all-conference selections are determined in a vote by the conference coaches.