The Valparaiso men’s soccer team gathered in front of a group of over 100 family members and friends last weekend at the Harre Union for its annual end-of-season awards ceremony, celebrating a 2011 campaign which saw the Crusaders capture their first Horizon League regular season championship.

In addition to the previously announced Horizon League and NSCAA awards, Valpo handed out its 2011 Team MVP awards, as voted on by the players.  Sophomore Charles Barden (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Linn-Mar) was named the team’s Offensive MVP, while senior Stefan Antonijevic (Buffalo Grove, Ill./Stevenson) earned the Defensive MVP award.  Seniors Kevin Brown (Racine, Wis./Washington Park) and Wei Ming Wong (Hong Kong/Hong Kong International) shared the squad’s Crusader Spirit Award.

The men’s soccer program also presented its VUMSO Alumni Award to Steve Shively (’10) and the VUMSO Supporters Award to Robyn Sult, mother of senior Chadd Sult.  The team’s seniors gave emotional farewell speeches as well, while all players, both varsity and reserve, were given a commemorative championship watch as a gift from the university in honor of winning the Horizon League regular season title.